This thesis is concerned with the manuscript of the memoirs of Dov Ber Birkenthal, Ber of Bolechow. The memoirs describe Jewish existence in eighteenth century Poland and provide valuable information regarding economic, social and cultural matters of that era. Uncovered in 1912, the manuscript was edited and published in Hebrew and translated into English by Dr. M. Vishnitzer. / By primary supposition of the present thesis is that Dr. Vishnitzer's transcription of the manuscript is inaccurate, and for this reason, a re-working of the memoirs has been undertaken. In addition to providing an authentic transcription of the manuscript, this thesis also contains a description of Birkenthal's life, an analysis of the uniqueness of this somewhat exceptional person and an account of how the memoirs have been used in the literature. Moreover, the historical value of the memoirs has been assessed, and an indepth analysis of the flaws contained in Vishniter's transcription has been provided.

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