THE JEWISH ENCYCLOPEDIA
541
Portuguese parnasim (wardens) as well. It was no wonder then that, with this array of counselors, Ilakam Zehi was declared to have forfeited his ollice He went by way of Loudon and Enulen to (1714). Lemberg, where, after otliciatiug as rabbi for a short time, he died iu 1718. His dei>arture, however, did not silence the disputes in the congregation; the magistrates therefore would not grant permission for the election of a successor. The duties of the ottice were meanwhile discharged by the assistants (dayyanim), Moses Frankfurt, Joseph Dayyan (both well known as owners of printing-offices), and Isaac of Zamo.sc. Ultimately* the city authorities issued the desired per-
Internal Schisms,
ASHKE.V'AZIC
that Saul who died in 1707 on his way to Amsterdam, to enter ui)on the duties of the rabbinate. Ar3'eli
Loeb,
or, to
give his
full
name, Levi Saul Liiwenstam,
became known principally throtigh the heated discus.sion between liis brotlier-iu-law Jacob Emden and Jonathan Eibenschiltz. When Emden fled from Altona he found refuge with Aryeh Loeb in Amsterdam. It was owing to Loeb's inllucnee that it was decided
(174(1) to establish a btt luiinkli-dali (college for Jewish theology), provided with a full library. It was iu many ways a prosperous period for the Amsterdam congregation. In 1730 the increase in Jewish population necessitated the opening of another synagogue, which was further enlarged in 1750. Owing to its printing establishments, libraries, and
SVNAGOGIE AT AMSTERDAM.
{Frum au mKravluit by
mission, and .Vbndiain Judidi licrlin. formerly rabbi in Halberstadt, became nibbi (1717). Peace seems to have been restored during the thirteen years of
incumbency, but on his dialli (17:50) disputes broke out again, and another live years ela]>sed before a successor was appointed. Since agreement in the congregation was impossible the following curious program was arranged; the magistrates allowed each one of the seven parnasim to nominate a his
candidate, and of thes<' the magistrates themselves, by a resolution dated Jan. :il. 17;i.'), selected three, to whom the rabbinate was to be otTenil sU(ces.sively The lirsl one on llu' list was in a c<rtain lixnl order. Eleazar of Itroily, who aeccpt<d the appointnii'iit, and was received wiili gn at honor (17;!.")K A medal was struck in crlebnitii>n of his arrival, but he diil not stay long; for hr lift . islerdam in 1740 lo.settle in Jerusideni, ami dii-d in Safed (1741). This time the position was not left viuant the congregation had become more harmonious, anil il appointi'd Hakam y^ebi's son in law .rveh Loeb, who was the son of
Amsterdam
J. dv Bayer.)
scholars' a.ssociations, the Ashkcnazim community of Amsterdam soon acquired a reputation throughout Europe superior to that of the Portuguese. .ryeh Loeb died in 17.").j; his son Saul Loweustam (born in Hzeszow 1717, died 17!)0) became his suc-
Lowenstams name is distinguished in the annals of Jewish scholarship; the large number of literary 'api)robations " which were sought of him cessor.
prove
this.
During the whole of this period the power of Iho ]iarnasim was almost absolute. Considling only those who had already served in the Autocratic ol1iei IIh'V moditied at will the statutes of till' congregation and procured tho Power approval of the magistrates. For Iho of the
Parnasim.
lay nirndiersof the congregation there rrmaiiiril nothing but implicit obedience. A petition presi'uled by a large majority of the members lo the inagistmcy in 17S0, in wiueli tiiey j>rotested against the arbitrary action of llieso olllcials.
may
be regarded as a harbinger of peace.
