Polish
Jewish lay leadership was centered in the kahals –
semi-autonomous community councils organized by each
municipality. Leaders of the kahals were usually appointed
by lot and changed every year. The kahals collected
and paid taxes to the Polish government, set up schools,
maintained Jewish hospitals, and repaired local streets.
They had the power to judge damages, levy fines, and
excommunicate members of the community. They also
monitored events in Poland that might affect Jewish
welfare. In addition, the kahals regulated certain
aspects of personal and religious life. For example,
weddings were controlled through self-imposed sumptuary
laws by putting restrictions on the size and style
of weddings. These laws equalized the differences
between rich and poor and limited ostentatious behavior
which might have aroused the jealousy of Gentile neighbors.
