Mordechai Donath, Sofer of Nitra. Shemirah [amulet]

(KABBALAH)

Nitra

1832

Single leaf. Calligraphic design with iconographic motifs.

Unknown to Vinograd

EXCEPTIONALLY RARE ARTISTIC AMULET. This Shemirah was intended to be hung over the cradle of a newborn infant to guard it from harm. According to Kabbalistic teaching, Lilith, the negative counterpart to Eve, is envious of the latter's children and attempts to create mischief upon them. A Sephirath Ha'Omer prepared by the same Nitra-based illustrator as this amulet, was printed there in 1834. (Sold by Kestenbaum & Company, September 2008, Lot 234). According to Vinograd (Nitra 1) this Sephirath Ha'Omer was the only item printed in Nitra. Evidently, Vinograd was unaware that the artist Mordechai Donath also issued the present Shemirah, as well as, in the same artistic style, an engraved Megilath Esther (Nitra, 1834). See I. Benoschofsky and A. Scheiber, The Jewish Museum of Budapest (1987) no. 203 (illustrated).