Seder Tephiloth Shevachoth Veshirim

(INDIAN JUDAICA)

The Brothers Proops

Amsterdam

1757

Title printed in red and black. Printer’s device on final page.

Vinograd, Amsterdam 1761; Mehlman 296

First edition of prayerbook containing festival and occasional prayers according to the rite of the Jews of Cochin and Cranganore. Zedner (p.455) amusingly notes this liturgy to be according to the rite of Ceylon! Includes prayers and customs unique to the Cochin Community. Particularly, the inordinate importance paid to the Festivals of Shemini Atzereth and Simchath Torah (see also, next Lot). Also includes unique prayers relating to the conversion and circumcision of non-Jews. Such passages appear in the liturgy of no other rite, indeed Halachic Jewish practice strongly discourages conversion. Nevertheless, slavery was an acceptable practice of Cochini life, and Gentile slaves were apparently converted to Judaism with a minimum of delay