(Sepher Kuntress)

(LITURGY)

circa

Pressburg

1830

Illuminated Synagogue Compendium Composed on Vellum. Hebrew with instructions in Yiddish. Written in brown ink on vellum in a fine calligraphic hand. Large colored initial words and sub-headings throughout, occasional floral flourishes and other artful details. Two pages with substantial pictorial designs in gouache. Large illustration (f. 7) surrounding the word “Yekum” in gold between lions, the whole backed by wreath of flowers and greenery. A second larger illustration (f. 9) depicts two rampant lions holding a plaque with God’s Name, beneath a bejeweled crown backed by dense colored patterns.

Selected prayers through the yearly cycle include: Haphtorah blessings; blessing for communal leaders; prayer for the government; various memorial prayers; order for the changing of a name; meditations and order of shofar-blowing; declaration of the “Baha”b” tri-part fast, etc. In the margin of f. 13, beside the Yizkor prayer, the names Ezriel ben Chana and his wife Troileh bas Ruchama are recorded and are identified as having been the founding supporters of the synagogue. Pasted to the inside of the back cover is a handwritten note pertaining to the yahrtzeit of R. Ezriel Briller and his wife. Rabbi Ezriel Bruller (or Briller / Brilin) can be identified as having founded the ‘Briller’ Shule in Pressburg. The famed Chasam Sofer presented a eulogy at the funeral for R. Ezriel Briller (see Chasam Sofer Drashos, Vol. II (1961) p. 759). For a manuscript executed in a similar style as the one offered here, see Sotheby’s New York, November 24, 2009, Lot 154.