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Informatione in causa della lite fra poveri e[t?] ricchi delli Hebrei [Documents concerning the litigation between poor and rich Jews]

 Collection — Box: BW-7
Identifier: MS-0732

Scope and Contents

This item is an informational document, detailing issues of litigation between affluent, longer established Jews and recently arrived Jewish refugees. The document includes 10 sheets, folded, totaling 20 pages (though 2 of the end pages are blank). It is written in Italian on paper in brown ink. (Likely it was black ink, but faded over time.) The piece was likely written around 1600 in Rome, Italy, a later copy of 16th century documents which were created at the time of this conflict between the disparate Jewish groups.

Dates

  • Creation: circa 1600

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is housed off-site and requires 48-hours' notice for retrieval. Please contact Special Collections for more information.

Collection is open for use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. It is not necessary to seek our permission as the owner of the physical work to publish or otherwise use public domain materials that we have made available for use, unless Johns Hopkins University holds the copyright.

Biographical / Historical

Derived from dealer description:

Following the Spanish and Portuguese expulsions at the end of the 15th century, the resulting influx of Jews from the Iberian Peninsula often resulted in strained relationships between the new arrivals and the members of native Jewish communities in which they relocated. The strains between Sephardic and Italian Jews in Ancona, Foligno, Rome, and Senigallia during the reign of Pope Clement VII (1523-1534), is cast here as a dispute between rich and poor Jews and resulted in papal intervention. Clement VII referred to by one contemporary Jewish author as "the favorer of Israel," displayed particular interest in the internal affairs of the Jewish community. When squabbling broke out between the disparate elements of the community, there was no established authority that could settle the disputes between the contending parties. Accordingly, an invitation was issued to Daniel ben Isaac of Pisa, who was highly esteemed by the pope, to come to Rome and negotiate a settlement. With twenty of the wealthiest members of the community, Daniel ben Isaac began the work of reform. A new Jewish organization was established, governed by a board of sixty directors (this organization existed up to the 19th century). In a document dated December 12, 1524, the pope signified his approval of this arrangement. A folio such as this is an early 17th century copy of documents concerning this historical episode.

Extent

0.167 Cubic Feet (1 legal size folder)

Language of Materials

Italian

Abstract

Following the Spanish and Portuguese expulsions at the end of the 15th century, the resulting influx of Jews from the Iberian Peninsula often resulted in strained relationships between the new arrivals and the members of native Jewish communities in which they relocated. A folio such as this is an early 17th century copy of documents concerning this historical episode. This item is an informational document, detailing issues of litigation between affluent, longer established Jews and recently arrived Jewish refugees. The document includes 10 sheets, folded, totaling 20 pages, though 2 of the end pages are blank. It is written in Italian on paper in brown ink. Likely it was black ink, but faded over time. The piece was likely written around 1600 in Rome, Italy, a later copy of original documents which were created at the time of this conflict between the disparate Jewish groups.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This item was likely purchased from Sotheby's in 2005.

Processing Information

This collection was processed in October 2015 by Annie Tang.

Title
Informatione in causa della lite fra poveri e[t?] ricchi delli Hebrei [Documents concerning the litigation between poor and rich Jews]
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
The Sheridan Libraries
Special Collections
3400 N Charles St
Baltimore MD 21218 USA