Transactions of the Parisian Sanhedrim; Or, Acts of the Assembly of Israelitish Deputies of France and Italy, Convoked at Paris by an Imperial and Royal Decree Dated May 30, 1806

Tama, Diogene: F. D. Kirwan (transl.). Transactions of the Parisian Sanhedrim; Or, Acts of the Assembly of Israelitish Deputies of France and Italy, Convoked at Paris by an Imperial and Royal Decree Dated May 30, 1806. Hebrew Union College, 1956. 8vo. 95 pp. Pink wrappers with black cloth spine. Some minor fraying at bottom of spine, marginal pencil marks throughout, but book is in very good condition. vg. Hardcover.

This work outlines the decisions and discussions of the Parisian Sanhedrin. The decree issued on the 30th of May 1806 requested that a Special Assembly of Jewish leaders and Rabbis, from all of the French departments, would meet in Paris to discuss all outstanding matters, including answering questions dealing with accusations against the Jews made by the anti-Semites. It was on the 23rd of July 1806, when all of these representatives met in Paris, at which time Napoleon stated: “My desire is to make Jews equal citizens in France, have a conciliation between their religion and their responsibilities in becoming French, and to answer all the accusations made against them. I want all people living in France to be equal citizens and benefit from our laws.”
One hundred and eleven representatives of the Jewish community, representing all the departments of France and Northern Italy met at City Hall. Napoleon had requested answers to accusations made against the Jews so he could understand their position clearly. The reunion of so many Jews from the different parts of France represented the renewal of the famous “Sanhedrin” which, according to Jewish Talmudic tradition, ruled Israel from 170 to 106 B.C.E. (17986) $45