(LITURGY)

German

mid-19th century

Techinos Bnoth Yeshurun [“A Prayer-Book for Educated Women to Awaken Devotion...Written as an Eternal Memorial for Wilhelm Glicksman.” (Title)]. A beautifully written manuscript. Square and cursive Aschkenazi Yiddish and Hebrew script, in sepia and red ink on paper, 217 pages. Numerous tail-piece decorations and calligraphic designs and florishes. Bound in calf, covered with ELABORATE COLORED BEADWORK, upper cover with “Aus Dankbarkeit 1851.”

A Delicate and Extremely Unusual Example of a Woman’s Vernacular Prayer-Book. Interesting selection of devotional prayers, ranging from those to be recited for a business-woman to the devotions of a kitchen-maid. All relate to the particular rhythms of a woman’s life: For a barren woman; upon pregnancy; the health of a fetus; health of one’s children; against melancholia and other sicknesses; upon the onset of old-age; at table; upon entering the synagogue and the different parts of the prayers; the days of the week and the Festival days, etc. The prayers are quite poignant in their rush of emotion and concern