Gluckel of Hameln vii-39 (Sept 6)

Background
1646-1724
Hamburg, North Germany
Jews are not citizens anywhere in the world until 1791
Each component of Holy Roman Empire treats Jews differently
Must leave Jewish community and learn the ways of the secular world to conduct business,
world is predominantly Christian
Educated by father, spoke Yiddish - same alphabet as Hebrew
Moses Middleston writes Hebrew/German Bible
Messianic pretender - father sold everything for him
Engaged at 12, married at 14

Writes book after husband dies, 1690-91 (Jewish year 5451), couldn't sleep at night and would
write to pass the time
Already very pious, speaks in language of religious Jews
Has 14 kids, one stillborn, one dies young
Begins by quoting Torah - thou shalt love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus)
Notes that people don't behave this way
Says that she is not moralizing, then says children should put aside time for study of Torah
Customary for parents to write ethical will: lays out what parents expected of children's
behavior after they were gone

Story of bird (p. 2-3): father bird has 3 children, must carry them across the sea, tests them as
they fly - asks them if they will provide for him when he is old
Not happy with first two responses, kills them
Third response is acceptable: he will provide for his children as the father has provided for
him
Talks not about parent, but about future children
Does not bind himself to father - others make promises they can't keep



No place for formal education for girls
Not much secular education at all
Learned Torah, Yiddish prayer book

Jews driven from Hamburg to Altona, Denmark
King gave Jews letter of protection, usually only good for 20 years
25 families already living in Altona, already synagogue and cemetery (must be separate from
secular cemetery)
Quiet village, no market, not many business opportunities

Chiam Furst: wealthiest man, owned 10,000 reichstaler (unknown value, as currency varied
from place to place)
Her father was second richest, at 8,000 reichstaler
Someone could live contentedly on 500

Father had debilitating gout

1567 - war between Swedes and Denmark
Forced to move back to Hamburg
Father was among first to be accepted back to Hamburg

Prayed in private homes, closest synagogue was in Altona
Father dealt precious stones, "other wares"
Goes to fairs and carries stuff around, so everything must be portable

Gluckel of Hameln 40-89 (Sept 8)
Gluckel's Family
Loeb: father was purveyor of goods


Mata: mother
Nathan Melrich - Grandfather