By Dr. Yair van DijkThe funeral of Haham Selomoh Salem (1781)On September 5, 1781, Chief Rabbi (Haham) Solomon / Selomoh Salem passed away after serving as the Haham of Amsterdam for 20 years. Salem was succeeded on August 2, 1782, by Haham David Cohen d'Azevedo. In the Amsterdamse courant of September 1781, I found a very detailed account of the funeral of this, (I believe, originally Turkish?) rabbi. It provides a unique insight into the funeral traditions and customs of the congregation. I have translated it from Dutch to English.September 15, 1781In the night between Wednesday and Thursday, the 5th and 6th of this month, the highly revered and learned Rabbi. Salomon Salem passed away in this city due to declining health, at the age of over 60 years. He was the Chief Rabbi of the Portuguese Jewish nation (or congregation). Having previously held this position in two communities, Belgrade and Adrianopolis, and finally here for about 20 years with all honor and distinction. His exemplary piety, competence, and amiability were deeply mourned by both Jews and all who had known his personality. Following the customary practice of undressing the body and laying it on the ground, it was washed on Fridaymorning, dressed in burial shrouds, and placed in a coffin while mournful songs were sung by the students.At 9 o'clock, the body was carried out of the deceased's house, draped in black cloth. Placed on the bier, it was carried by the principal teachers, and the corners of the burial shroud were held by some parnassims of the same congregation, as well as administrators and treasurers of various brotherhoods, each in turn. The procession passed through Muidergracht and Muiderstraat, through the main gate or entrance of the synagogue to the academy site, where the late rabbi’s customary instruction used to take place. Two rabbis sang mournful and funeral songs until about 10 o'clock when the body, partly carried by parnassims of both nations and those of the aforementioned academy, was brought into the synagogue. At the entrance of the main door, the precentor sang appropriate mournful songs and Hebrew poetry composed by a prominent poet of that nation. This was followed by a funeral oration by the assessor and teacher Juda Piza, who took his text from Lamentations 5:16. Then, the renowned and honorable Chief Rabbi of the German [Ashkenazi] Jewish nation also delivered a very moving sermon, quoting the words of 2 Samuel 1:19. After this religious ceremony, the body was again carried out of the church with the same solemnity. The procession passed along the Breestraat to AntonijSluis, over Zwanenburgwal through Zwanenburgerstraat, Amstel or Joden Kerkstraat, beyond the Deventer Houtmarkt, where the boat awaited, adorned inside and out with heavy mourning. Carrying a black flag and pennant, the body was placed in it, followed by several other boats, as well as a multitude of carriages and pedestrians all the way to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, the customary burial ground of the Portuguese Jewish congregation. Here, the body was taken from the boat and placed near the grave. Two more sermons were delivered, one by the teacher David de Leon on the words from Lamentations 1:6, and the other by the assessor of the Chief Rabbi of the German Jewish nation, Isaak Keizer, using Ecclesiastes 4:3 as the text. After completing the further ceremonies, the body was committed to the earth while Psalm 91 was recited. This Psalm was constantly sung already from the deceased's house to the grave. The influx of spectators of all ranks and classes was extraordinarily large. During the seven days of mourning held for this lamentable event, not only were all festive activities prohibited, but even all shops of the Portuguese Jews had to remain half-closed. During this time, afternoons in the synagogue were dedicated to preaching by teachers and candidates, covering the following texts:• Saturday evening: Genesis 1:4,• Sunday afternoon:Genesis 49:15,• Monday: Joel 4:15,• Tuesday: 2 Chronicles 32:33,• Wednesday: Isaiah 57:1.On yesterday morning, being the seventh day, the aforementioned assessor and teacher Juda Piza delivered another mournful sermon, using Psalm 116:15 as the text, thereby concluding these solemn proceedings. The Portuguese congregation sincerely mourns the death of its worthy teacher, stating that his actions corresponded to the significance of his name and reputation.