Takanoth… de K. K. Beth Haknesseth HaGedolah: Laws of the Congregation of the Great Synagogue, Duke’s Place, London.

AUCTION 58 | Thursday, May 02nd, 2013 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts and Autograph Letters

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Lot 41
(ANGLO-JUDAICA).

Takanoth… de K. K. Beth Haknesseth HaGedolah: Laws of the Congregation of the Great Synagogue, Duke’s Place, London.

Text in Hebrew and English. pp. xi, 81; xvi, 82, 7. Ex-library, trace foxed. Recased retaining original printed covers, new endpapers. Lg. 8vo. Vinograd, London 275; Roth, London 137.

London: Joseph Wertheimer 1827

Est: $700 - $1,000
The Great Synagogue of London was established in 1692 and occupied its final home in Duke’s Place from 1722 until its destruction by German aerial bombardment in 1941. It was the seat of of the Chief Rabbinate of the British Empire and the Ashkenazic Mother Congregation of the English-speaking Jewish world. In 1827 the decision was taken to review and codify all the synagogue rules and regulations enacted to date “in order that the eccentricity of individuals may not disturb the general harmony.” The resulting code, comprising 320 regulations, covers all the rights and responsibilities of the overseers, clergy, members, and non-members, and is especially vigorous concerning fees and fines. The volume also contains a short history of the congregation and lists officers and principal benefactors, including Moses Hart, builder of the 1722 synagogue, Judah Phillips of Jamaica, and “Dr. Samuel de Falk,” otherwise known as the Baal Shem of London.