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Pinḳes

The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia

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Term generally denoting the register of any Jewish community, in which the proceedings of and events relating to the community are recorded. The word originally denoted a writing-tablet, of which, according to the Mishnah (Kelim 24:7), there were three kinds: (1) a tablet covered with dust, used chiefly for marking thereon arithmetical calculations, and large enough to serve as a seat; (2) one covered with a layer of wax, the writingupon which was executed with a stylet; and (3) a smooth tablet written upon with ink. Later the term was applied to a book composed of such tablets (comp. Shab. 12:4-5), and afterward to any book. The term "pinḳes" as denoting a register occurs in the Mishnah: "The pinḳes is open, and the hand writes" (Ab. 3:16). See COUNCIL OF FOUR LANDS; TAḲḲANAH.