Mazkir Neshamoth [liturgical Yizkor service].

Auction 95 | Thursday, November 11th, 2021 at 11:00am
Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinic Letters, Ceremonial & Graphic Art

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Lot 69
(POLAND / UKRAINE).

Mazkir Neshamoth [liturgical Yizkor service].

Manuscript in Hebrew and Yiddish, written in a most attractive calligraphic and ‘vaybertaytsch’ hand. pp. 10. Few stains, opening page worn. Modern boards. 4to.

Early 18th-century

Est: $1,500 - $2,500
PRICE REALIZED $1,000
Features three separate ‘Kel Maleh Rachamim’ prayers - the text of which is primarily in Yiddish. One of these mentions the martyrs of Lesser Poland, Ukraine, Greater Poland, and Russia - no doubt a reference to the horrendous Chmielnicki massacres of 1648-49 and the further Cossack pogroms of the 1650’s. The text records the names of two victims of blood libels: Rabbi Pinchas and Rabbi Ephraim, along with three additional martyrs (entitled “Kadosh”): Rabbi Matisyahu, Rabbi Shlomo and Rabbi Alexander, each “murdered to sanctify God’s name.” Portions of the text is similar in language to that recorded in Hazkaroth Kedoshim MiPinkasei Medinath Polin Gadol published by Rabbi Yehuda Levin of Pinne in Kovetz al Yad, 10 (Berlin, 1903).