“Copulation-Fee for Jewish Weddings” issued by Frederick Francis (‘Friedrich Franz’), Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin [Present-day Germany; Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin]: “We, ‘Friedrich Franz’, order herewith in regards to the copulation-fees (’Copulations-Gebühren’) for Jewish weddings […] whether they may be native or foreign, […] that the groom gives half percent of what the bride has brought (dowry) to the community in which the couple was married […] as well as half a percent to the hazzan* and the Schulklopfer** […]” [Researcher’s note: *A hazzan is trained vocal artist in the Jewish tradition. **A Schulklopfer is the person who call Jews to prayer at the local synagogue.]
Gesetzsammlung für die Mecklenburg-Schwerin’schen Lande. Zweite Folge, umfassend den Zeitraum vom Anfange dieses Jahrhunderts bis zum Jahre 1852. Herausgegeben von H. F. W. Raabe, Canzleiadvocaten. IV Band. (“Collection of Laws for the territories of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Second issue, containing the period starting with the beginning of this century to the year 1852. Published by H. F. W. Raabe, Chancellery-Council.”); (1852); Researched and Translated by Ziba Shadjaani 9/28/2019