Barukh Reiniger

17th Century

Barukh belonged to a large family in Prague whose name, Reiniger, means “porger” (Heb. menaker), which refers to an expert in removing the sciatic nerve and other halakhically forbidden parts of a properly slaughtered kosher animal. Barukh’s daughter Traune was engaged to a man whose family were also kosher butchers. Barukh’s plea that his son-in-law in Vienna, addressed in a surviving letter, lend him money for Traune’s dowry shows that this profession did not necessarily guarantee financial stability.

Entries in the Posen Library by This Creator

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Letter to His Son

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To be given to my dearly beloved and pleasant son-in-law—who fears sin and all whose deeds are worthy—the respected Mr. Falk. He who delivers this letter, on him be blessing. From the holy community…