TARREGA:

By: Joseph Jacobs, Meyer Kayserling

City of Catalonia. Jews were among its inhabitants when the counts of Barcelona took Catalonia from the Moors. They enjoyed certain privileges, which were confirmed in 1332 and later. At the special request of the king the community was permitted in 1346 to build a new synagogue 80 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 60 feet high; also a school. On this occasion Pedro Montell, vicar of the Bishop of Vich, assured the Jews that, in conformity with canonical law, their cemeteries should not be desecrated, nor they themselves disturbed on their holy days; further that any one found guilty of acting contrary to this assurance would be strictly punished. Three years later, on the Ninth of Ab (July 26), the citizens of Tarrega attacked the Jews, killing more than 300, throwing their bodies into a pit, and plundering their houses. The survivors, robbed of all their possessions, fled, and remained hidden until the danger had passed.

Many Jews of Tarrega were killed during the persecutions of 1391; but a small community continued to dwell in the town, and it sent delegates to the funeral services held for King James at Cervera. In the civil war of 1462 some Jews of Tarrega and Cervera were killed and their possessions confiscated.

J. M. K.