Bidspirit auction | (PRAGUE). (Noda BeYehudah.)  Tephilah [prayer

(PRAGUE). (Noda BeYehudah.)  Tephilah [prayer for Queen Maria Theresa, ruler of the Habsburg dominions]. Prepared by R. Yechezkel Landau . Two tall Hebrew leaves, each printed on one side only. pp. 2. Modern calf. Folio. Vinograd, Prague 883. Prague, n.p. 1757. Daily prayer intoned for the success of the military, as well as recitation of select Psalms in support of the Empress, to be recited in all of Prague’s synagogues.  The great Noda BeYehudah authorized particular prayers to be recited in honor of Maria Theresa and voiced strong support of the Empress’s political and military policies relating to the city of Prague. He declares here his unbridled allegiance to her and casts dire warnings to any member of the Community who appear disloyal. Despite such pledges of allegiance on behalf of the Jewish community, Maria Theresa harbored no warm feelings in return. (See E. Crankshaw, Maria Theresa (1970) p. 313).  Such a one-sided relationship displayed the dependence central European Jews were forced to have upon the whims of their absolutist rulers during the pre-modern era. See A.D. Luria & S. Offman, The Support of the Noda Yehudah for Maria Theresa during the Seven Years War, in: Kol Machzike Hadath (1979) Vol. V, pp. 67-71.