Keruz sheHuchraz biPekudath haSerarah [“Announcement by order of the Authority.”]

(GERMANY)

(Frankfurt a/Main)

Friday, August 4th, 1797

Judeo-German in waybertaytsch letters

Two announcements publicized by the "Herr Actarius" (Actuary) in the “Juden Synagogue” in accordance with instructions from the Burgermeister: Concerning the registration of foreign Jews with the Chief Rabbi. * Austerity measures concerning the ostentatious clothing worn by Jewish women. These announcements were issued after recently concluded military skirmishes. Though the location concerned is unnamed, the second edict notes the city suffered the previous year under "French siege" (Französich belagerung) and that many Jewish families lost their possessions in the fighting. - Indeed during the French bombardment of Frankfurt in 1796, no less than one hundred and forty houses were destroyed along the Juden-Gasse. See JE, Vol.V, p. 488. Consequently, dressing in luxury at a time when portions of the population were suffering from a scarcity of basic needs was seen as most inappropriate.