Stosunki Żydów z magistratem i władzami cechowymi Tyszowiec w XVII-XIX wieku
The Jews’ Relations with the Town Council and the Guilds of Tyszowce in the 17-19th Centuries

Summary/Abstract: This article is an attempt to show the place of Jews in the urban community of Tyszowce in the context of relations with the City Hall and guild authorities. Since 1462 Tyszowce was a royal city and it was located in the province and the district of Bełz. It was inhabited by people of diverse ethnicity and religion. The Jews were the third biggest ethnic group apart from the Poles and the Rusyns. Jewish community enjoyed a favor of Polish rulers as well as governors in Tyszowce so the severity of Magdeburg law to Orthodox Jews was relaxed considerably. Although the Jews were not directly a part of the local government they often contacted the City Hall, influenced government decisions and even acted together. Many members of the community worked closely with the City Hall by advocating taxes and municipal buildings. A very important role in relations between the Jews and municipalities was played by the matter of lease of the revenue connected with the production and dispensing of alcoholic beverages. Jewish people of various specialties concluded contracts with the City Hall concerning pricing of goods and cattle as well as carrying out forensic examinations in courts. Despite the municipal cooperation with the Jews in many areas there were quite frequently some conflicts between them which were reflected in the city resolutions and ordinances. The dynamic demographic and economic development of the Jewish community made a serious competition for the townspeople of Tyszowce becoming one of the main causes of the conflicts. Economy was the main reason of the disagreement between the Christian and Jewish population. Despite such facts it should be admitted that in Tyszowce of that period there were also positive contacts and cooperation between the two nations apart from numerous controversies and conflicts.

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