Collection of Printed Booklets and Broadsides – The Jewish Community of Rome – Late 16th Century to Early 19th Century

Collection of Printed Booklets and Broadsides – The Jewish Community of Rome – Late 16th Century to Early 19th Century
Fifteen booklets and official broadsides concerning the Jewish community of Rome. Rome, late 16th century to early 19th century. Italian and some Latin. A few Hebrew words.
The Jewish community of Rome, which exists since the first century B.C. to the current day, is considered the most ancient Jewish community in Europe. In 1555, after hundreds of years of tolerance by the authorities, Pope Paul IV issued the Cum Nimis Absurdum (Latin: Since it is absurd), a bull placing religious and economic restrictions on the Jews, prohibiting them from owning real estate and fraternizing with Christians, requiring them to attend Christian sermons on Sabbath and wear yellow hats and kerchiefs and, most importantly, prohibiting them from living near Christians (leading to the establishment of the Rome ghetto). The bull started one of the worst periods in the history of the community, which became the poorest and most wretched community in Western Europe. For the next two hundred and fifty years, the Jews of Rome lived in disgraceful poverty, within the ghetto only, and were exposed to conversion attempts by the authorities (there were even cases of kidnappings and coerced baptizing), until the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy and the return of the Jews' rights. Offered here is a collection of official broadsides and booklets printed during this difficult time (five of them from the late 16th century), documenting the life of the community and the restrictions imposed on it. Including:
• A decree from 1592, imposing various prohibitions on the Jews: prohibitions on employing Christian women, eating with Christians, giving singing, dancing or Hebrew lessons to Christians, selling medicine or giving medical treatment to Christians, a prohibition on playing games with Christians and other prohibitions (some mentioning the fine imposed in case of violation). • A decree from 1599, prohibiting the harming of Jews. • A printed broadside issued by the Franciscan Order in 1731, announcing that the Jews continue to be in possession of Talmud books and other books opposed to Christianity. • Booklet of regulations that was printed in 1752, presumably by the community. The Hebrew acronym "Bah Ami Asu" [the initial letters of the following Hebrew verses: In the name of the Lord, My help comes from G-d, who made heaven and earth] is printed on the title page. • A booklet from 1810, documenting the short time when the Jews were granted back their rights when the city was occupied by the French during the wars of Napoleon. • And more.
Size and condition vary. Good-fair overall condition. Stains, creases and tears to margins. Fold lines, inscriptions and partially open tears (mostly small). Worming in two booklets. Long tears to one broadside.
From the estate of Prof. Shlomo Simonsohn.