Liebman (Moshe Yehuda SeGal) Goldschmidt

We know the holy name (שם קודש) of Liebmann Goldschmidt from the tombstone of his son Benedict. Probably, Yehuda is the name he received at the circumcision ceremony, whereas the name Moshe was added later at a name-changing ritual, when he was seriously ill. Men whose Hebrew name is Yehuda, are usually known as Leb in Yiddish. However, sometimes they are known as Liebmann in Yiddish. In 1626, he is referred to as “Lew oder Liebman” (=Lew or Liebman; StA Marburg, Best. 40a XVI Gen. Nr. 1).

We first hear about him in 1606, when a document mentions “Schmuell undt Liebmann Juden” in Hebenshausen near Witzenhausen (StA Marburg, Best. 17 I Nr. 1032). They asked for leniency for a relative (Verwandter) also called Liebmann from Witzenhausen, who had been accused of killing another Jew. Another document from 1606 mentions “Liebmann Goldschmidt”, in Hebenshausen, when he borrowed 400 Taler from the nearby monastery of Mariengarten (NLA HA (=Niedersächsisches Landesarchiv Hannover), Cal. Br. 7 Nr. 1052). In 1612 or 1613, the Jew Liebmann from Hebenshausen and Caspar Bronträger from Witzenhausen are accused of falsifying coins (HStAM (=Hessisches Staatsarchiv Marburg) Fonds 17 I. No 1594). In 1613, Caspar Bronträger from Witzenhausen and “Liebmann Jude der Jung” from Bischhausen pay a fine of 20 fl. and 30 fl., respectively (HStAM Fonds 17 I. No 124). Thus, by 1613 Liebmann had left Hebenshausen for Bischhausen. However, Schmol did not join him, because in 1614, he was still living in Hebenshausen (HStAM Fonds 17 I. No 184). In 1618, we find Schmull and Liebman in Witzenhausen on the list of Jews paying protection money. Benedictus precedes Liebman on the list without indicating their relationship (StA Marburg, AR II Witzenhausen 10, Jg. 1618). In 1622, “Schmuell Jude” and “Libmann Jude” appear on the list of Jews in Witzenhausen (StA Marburg, Best. 40a XVI Gen. Nr. 1). They are listed one immediately after the other. We know that Shmuel Stuckert died in Witzenhausen a few years later. Thus, this Schmull is probably to be identified with him. The last time Shmuel is mentioned alive is on March 6, 1623 when Heyum in Kassel filed a complaint against the Jews Schmoll and Liebmann in Witzenhausen (StA Marburg, Best. 17 Nr. 1040). The close association between them in the years 1606-1623 and the same family name suggest that Schmoll and Liebmann were brothers. In 1625, Liebman is mentioned among those paying Schutzgeld in Witzenhausen (StA Marburg, AR II Witzenhausen 10, Jg. 1625). In 1626, the list of Jews in Witzenhausen mentions “Lew oder Liebman” (StA Marburg, Best. 40a XVI Gen. Nr. 1). If he was the father of Benedikt, then he was dead in 1627 (StA Marburg, Best. 17 I Nr. 3726).