New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-11
POLISH JEWS OF NETWORK.

WITH RABBI INTERPRETATIONS PROCESS or
SECURING DIVORCE UNDER THR JEWISH LAW
In Ludlow-st., especially between Division
end Canalsts and in parts OF Hester and Grandstsh
clustered q colony OF Polish Jews. Same of she mem
bcrs defendants Of those who fought Win koscT
usco In 1894 or resisted tyranny in the disas
trous rebellion OF S3l ard 1916 In Poland they "ee
deprived of civil and religious liberty and forced TO en-
gr<se to this country most OF them comparatively pen
piiess Possessing peculiar characteristics they
have selected the neighbohood in which 10 loo"
their occupations and to make their homes
Awsk from Divsiop-st IN Ludiow-st SHOWS the sioe-
walks crowded with hucksters' goods Of every oescfp
t;on from dry goods woodenware and coops of chiek
the wlted fruit on the rckety STANDS s""ihs
OF children roll over the sidewalks among
the pals and piles OF CLOTH In the forenoon the Ht'ie
butcher shops scattered penfuly along tire street are
the centres Of attraction. Signs in irregular Hebrew
characters TELL Doubtless stores within but the
only provisions in sight are the strings OF black sau-
sages In the windows, looking much Ike wellpreserved
fossils During the afternoon the sawdusted and white
washed interiors OF these shops tenaned only by
countless flies. but the morning marketing nils them
with vociferous multi ude OF Hebrew matrons. They
are unwilling buy their meat elsewhere than Mt He
brew market because Jews point of religion refuse
the flesh Of any animal that has not been killed
by slaugherer OF their persuasion. The Mosaic
law is very strict regarding the killing of animals for
food and the regu atons such TO secure 10 the
fullest extent the removal Of the blood.
In Ludow-st these people have founded their syha-
gogue. Over the door the words Congregation OF
the Beth Hamedrash Hagodo"
The first floor above the is occupied by the
"roOm of learning" Here the books Of The law and the
Hebrew classics preserved and opportunity offered
for reading and study Above this is the synagogue
proper, where services are bcf on Saturday. Among
the Polish Jews prayers offered in very loud tone
IL this they differ roms the other secis OF Jews. On
May To- the day before Whit Sunday. Jewish services
fxn ntg Z he hsQ of
this synagogue is n venerable rabbi, OF the few IN
this country who have been regularly commissioned by
the Rabbnical Schools Schools Of the Learned.
abroad, after years OF study and probation.
Among their shops are low basement rooms filed with
tal.ow hard at work asserting rags or busily
sewing. They with feverish intensity, for their
wages are small, and they hardly dare snatch even
moment for glance through the open window. From
the floors above the whirr and rattle of sewing
machines and goldbeatiug artificial flower and cigar
making and other light trades are carried on G these
streets. An inspection of OF these houses shows
how closely space is ecOnOuzed On each floor four
apartmentS-two front aud two blackjack consisting
usually of three rooms, Of which one only Is lighted
from the outside. The other two dark Each apart
ment is occupied by family giving sixteen families TO
house, there four floors -Four persons 10
family small average, but this shows siXtyfour
persons house. allowing four houses IN block,
R5G persons one block
Entering the door OF Jewish house in one OF these
blocks, small 0DOng tln DOx is seen nhhtu against
the door post In the is strip OF isingass, he
meath which appear Hebrew characters written
on q parchment roll. These characters signify AL
mighty" and the parchment contains passage from
the Old Testament blessing the home and all who
enter There is also similar quotation from the Jewish
Books of Law
While this and other peculiar common to
Jews Of every nation, yet the Polish Jews so
bonded together 10 preserve IN many respects dis
tmctive character; and their own customs are so
carefully observed as 10 make them community with
laws Of their own. AZ OF them are unaCquained
with English language. they necessarily forced
dependence each other and their Rabbi, who
occupies the position of chief magistrate Some In
teresting details in regard to the Polish Jews and
their customs have been furnished to a TRIBUNE re-
porter by Harris Damages Of No. 400 East HOusOnst.
OF Polish descent himself his studies at the rabbnical
schools abroad have given him wide range OF knowl-
edge in matters OF Jewish law.
Twas born at Kuthna. Poland, twentyfoar miles
from Warsaw. in 1872" said Mr. DanziGes. " 1t was
the for children. as they could pronounce
the letters when they about three years old, 10
be sent TO school II they showed any liking for study
they encouraged and cared for 10y members OF their
synagogue. / studied under rabbits in Poland. Ger
many and England Till / was nineteen, when came
over here. You have here" pointing TO row OF
ancient aud tme-worn volumes, most of the works on
jewish aS. The important the Talmud,"
Cheschanmcschpot" on money matters, Aban
Azdr," concerning matrimonial affairs, Joradah," in
kitchen laws, Killing animals, etc, ana Tue
Mecen-Abram," pertaining holidays ana ceremonial
laws Now while the first religious duty If tae Jews IL
Ia obey the laws OF the Nation IN which they i've yet
laws of the Jews retain heir force For Instance
sidered divorced among the Jews but II he has been
divorced according 10 Jewish rites ne rec No regular
divorced by the Courts But there me many
grant divorces that have no force among the
Jews 50 many Of these were ,o issued
divorces was suspected to exist saw divorce not
long ago which LADY had, bearing nei,her aa,9 DOT
peued that Jew obtaining one OF these bogus divorces
would marry again. aud afterward has real wife would
come over from Poland and DC would be arrested for
esamy oo,r, hold ,o,oro the ran,, ore q, fonr
kinds Sanhedrm, or Jury OF three, FOR deciding dls-
putes about money matters ne Of
cases; and the sanhedrim OF seventythree for mur-
smons the Polish jews When there is dispute about
money matters it is often referred to the rabol OF he
courts This is by mutual consent Then the rabbi
three members OF the or tb Gns
ana the hd counses and assists the rabbi who sits as
room of learning under the synagogue
Ia of dispute as TO the amount OF debt when
the debtor declares his obligations Il than the creditor
Claims the latter. acting as plaintiff. my compel the
former to take an oath as to MS III dus PAN
ceremony Is SO impressive that few submit 10 H. Inc
Tells him of the awful sancty of oath. reminds him
that the presence OF jehovah who is omniscient
Hnis,ered to MIN the tables of law. II he
u tae truth OF his statements hs claims are allowed;
once knew instance IN which the plaintiff waited a
year before calling for the OATH and then brought the
defendant into the crowded synagogue Just before TIE
beginning OF the ceremonies of Penecost IL was the
solemn and Impressive time he could nave chosen
and before rabbi had finished bis address, the de-
fendant broke down aud refused 10 take the oath,
knUwlcdging his falsehOOd.
1.-The know OF when the Sanbedrim OF three
sat was 10 settle money trouble between two
ia .usiuess East Broadway They both content
with the rabbits judgment.
The wives OF many Of the Polish Jews were left be-
hind IN Poland, aud refused To follow hus
bands being unwilling leave their Old homes. Tins
Is causdcred good ground divorce, but the
IS very elaborate ana requires great deal OF ne often
occupying three years AZ have sld, no rcga-
lary authorized rabbi would divorce couple until d.