Livro da união geral da nacão: On a Book by Manuel de Pina
The Portuguese Jewish Community of Hamburg
1656
25 Av 5416 [15 August 1656]
Joining the meeting [of the Mahamad; board of governors] was ḥakham [R.] David Cohen who reported that it was brought to his attention that a very scandalous book from Holland was distributed here and therefore he admonished that this be ceased. The decision was taken that it would be proper to direct it to be withdrawn, under pain of beraḥa [excommunication] and it was ordered that the following document be read: “It having been brought to the attention of the Mahamad that a scandalous book by Manuel de Pina has been distributed here in Amsterdam, they have ordered, under pain of beraḥa, that any person possessing it must deliver it to the treasurer, David Milano, no later than 26 [of the Jewish month of] Menahem Av by noon, without there being any other copy in his possession.” [ . . . ]
1 of Elul
A discussion was held concerning what befell the chairman [of the Mahamad] in the synagogue with David Benveniste, telling him that he should declare how many books had arrived from Holland and why he had distributed them. And since he did not offer an appropriate response, the Mahamad ordered that he be given a good reprimand and pay a fine of five rijksdaalders [12.5 guilders]. [ . . . ]
On 8 of Elul,
A decision was made to burn the scandalous books of Manuel de Pina as was done in Amsterdam.
Credits
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 5.
