(ITALY)

Ferrara

v.d

Group of Four Tax Regulations and Statutes of the Ferrara Community. * Regola da Osservarsi dalli Tassatori. pp. 16,(1). Ferrara, 1683. * Regola per Ricavarsi gl’Annuii Aggravii…Natione Ebrea di Ferrara. pp. 22, (1). With Hebrew text of ban of excomunication (“Cherem”) signed by R. Joseph Borgi, R. Mordechai Tzahalon and R. Shabbatai Elchanan Sangoneti on p. 22. Ferrara, 1704. * Regola per Ricavarsi gl’Annuii Aggravii…Universita degl’ Ebrei di Ferrara. pp. 16,(2). Title printed in red and black. With Hebrew text of ban signed by R. Solomon Lampronti and R. Mordechai Carpaneti. Ferrara, 1772. * Regola per Ricavarsi gl’Annuii Aggravii…Universita degl’ Ebrei di Ferrara. pp. 51,(2). Title printed in red and black. With Hebrew text of ban signed by R. Solomon Lampronti and R. Mordechai Carpaneti. Ferrara, 1777.

An interesting collection of documents concerning the social and economic history of the Jews of Ferrara. The community began to organize its financial obligations towards the Duchy of the Principality through the levying of internal taxes from the beginning of the 16th century. Tax regulations were published until the end of the 18th century and chart the economic changes of Ferrera Jewry, and the kinds of property and income that were taxable. It is striking that the statutes are enforced by the threat of excomunication against those not contributing their dues. Also of note is the active involvement of the community rabbis in upholding the taxable structure.