Einlegbuch...Hekdesh M’Nidrei Maoth [“Deposit-Book of Pledges”]. Pinkas (ledger of pledges for the Ashkenazic Amsterdam Synagogue)

(AMSTERDAM).

(Amsterdam)

1771

Hebrew Manusript on vellum comprising thirty leaves each with punched holes in designated multi-color coded slots. With inscription on front and back covers "BePinkas zeh Kol Hakathuv LeChaim L[prat] K[atan] MeC[hevra] K[adisha] Talmud Torah.

This donation book from the Chevra Kadisha Talmud Torah Synagogue of Amsterdam was designed as a means of recording donations on the Sabbath when no writing is permitted. Well over 400 names are recorded with the amount pledged enumerated in thirteen categories ranging from two "peshitim" (small change) to "chatzi zahav" (half of a guilder) to "chatzi r't" (half of a Reichs-Thaler) to two "zehuvim" (guilders).