The Himelhochs Among the Jews of Pilten
From 1717 to 1738, the Poles subjected the Jews of
Pilten to an oppressive series of special taxes and
four decrees of expulsion. Some left; some stayed; some returned. In 1750, the Poles
again granted them rights of residency for a fee, and in 1783 accorded full
civic and general rights. This was in recognition of their track record as
substantial and reliable tax payers.
In 1817 under Russian rule, the Pilten area close to Sasmaken became
equal with the rest of Courland. This meant that all Courland was technically
outside the Pale, the Pale being only those places within the Russian Empire
where Jews were allowed to live. “Technically” is used
here because the Russians, out of deference to the German baron land owners,
often were not rigidly enforcing the ban. It seems logical that this
accommodation would have been strongest in the Pilten
area.
The Pale Settlement Outlined in Red (From Yivoencyclopedia.org)
Next page -> The Jewish Residency Problem
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