Seder Tephiloth u-Bakashoth le-Nashim Sha’ananoth Ne’erachoth Midei Chodesh be-Chodsho u-Midei Shabath be-Shabbatho [Prayers for Women, Monthly and Weekly - Prayers for women relating to conception, pregnancy and birth]

(LITURGY)

Castelazzo

18th century?

Square scribal Hebrew letters with nikud (vowel points) and instructions in Italian

Charming Collection of Prayers for the Italian Jewish Woman. This brief prayer book contains: a prayer by the mistress of the house, before her immersion in the ritual bath, that she might conceive a child fit to be a Torah scholar; a prayer upon exiting the ritual bath that she be spared the evil designs of enemies; a prayer to be recited throughout the nine months of pregnancy that she not miscarry; and a prayer upon entering the seventh month of pregnancy, that she be spared the “pitka shel Chavah” (punishment of Eve) and so have an easy delivery. As stated on the title, this was commissioned expressly for Signora Esther Polesi of Castelazzo. -- Castelazzo Bormida is a village in proximity to Alessandria in Italy’s Piedmont region. The expression Nashim Sha’ananoth” (“Tranquil Women”) in the title is a quote from the Book of Isaiah Chap. XXXII.