Judicial wand

The history of the seven communities (sheva kehillot) of Burgerland can be traced back to the Middle Ages. Their real prosperity, nevertheless, occurred in the 18th century when, under the protection of Prince Esterhazy’s family, a vibrant social and spiritual life evolved. The seven rural communities were led by Eisenstadt (Kismarton in Hungarian). Here, under a contract concluded with the landlord (Schutzbrief), the Jews were allowed to create the necessary institution to sustain the community and in internal affairs they had judicial discretion. In 1732 the Prince gave a beautifully carved judicial wand to the Jewish judge as a present which has been preserved as the symbol of the Jewish communal autonomy.