FINTA:
By: Cyrus Adler, M. Seligsohn
A Spanish term signifying a tax which is paid to the government. It is still used—for example, in London by the Spanish and Portuguese congregations to designate a part of their revenue, levied by assessors ("fintadores") appointed for the purpose. Every two years the elders fix the entire amount to be raised as finta; and this the fintadores apportion among the individuals of the congregation. The highest finta may not exceed £40, and the lowest may not be less than £1. There are minuteregulations with regard to the finta and the election of the fintadores.
Bibliography:
- Ascamot . . . of the Congregation of Spanish and Portuguese Jews. . . , pp. 3-5, 12-14, 18-20, London, 1872;
- Israel Abrahams, Jewish Life in the Middle Ages, p. 42, note 1.
