(BIBLE).
Sepher Tehilim [Book of Psalms].

(BIBLE).
Sepher Tehilim [Book of Psalms].


MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM written in Hebrew in square and cursive calligraphic Ashkenazic hands in (waned) gold ink.

pp. 68. Previous owner’s annotations. Stained and worn through extensive use. Contemporary calf, rubbed, spine worn. Square folio.
(Moravia): Erev Rosh HaShanah 1814


COMPLETE TEHILLIM, HAND-WRITTEN ON VELLUM.

At the start of this fine manuscript is a page headed: “All of these came to donate toward the writing of this Tehillim on parchment, each man according to his heart’s donation.” Thirty-six names are listed, each with the amount of his donation.

After an elaborate introduction that includes Techinoth to be said prior the recitation of Psalms, all 150 chapters of the Tehillim are written in a large, clear hand, divided by the seven days of the week according to the traditional format. Psalm 119, an epic alphabetic acrostic chapter, is written in a striking poetic layout.

The end-matter contains various prayers for challenging times: Sickness; Difficult childbirth; Deathbed; as well as a prayer for changing the name of a gravely sick person. A final colophon names a particular donor, Yosef ben Shlomo Koenig, his son Esriel, and his wife Hindel bath Aharon Baer Segal of Trebitsch, Moravia.

The opening title was originally composed as an illustrated page, however the passage of time has caused the illustrations to wear away and only faint shadows of the design may still be seen.

Despite best intentions, this manuscript was composed on slightly inferior materials likely due to limited funds. Yet that is precisely why the manuscript that is now of particular codicological interest. For the common, folk inspiration that lies behind the creation of this manuscript can clearly be felt and seen.