David Lida. Sepher Sod Hashem with commentary Sharvit HaZahav [Mohel’s compendium with prayers]. Vienna, 1837.

(CIRCUMCISION)

ff. (1), 65, (7) (printed), followed by 11 pages in manuscript, written in miniscule Hebrew on paper, recording the performance of 78 circumcisions between the years 1842-62. With signature of the Mohel on opening blank in Hebrew and Latin letters Gabriel Hirsch (Gabor) Czonitzer.

Vinograd, Vienna 793.

The Mohel was indeed the rabbi of his community, the town of Halash (Kiskunhalas), some eighty miles south of Budapest, Hungary. He also practiced in the villages of Torokszentmiklos, Kistelek, Gedelle, Almas, Dabas and other settlements. On the verso of the opening blank the Mohel relates details of a problematic circumcision in which he devised an innovative surgical procedure. He also records the bris of his grandson on the lap of the Kabbalist “HaRav HaGaon HaGadol HaTzadik HaCharif HaMefursam BeSithrei Torah…Yaakov Vetch.” The final leaf contains a list of the names of the Mohel’s children born in the years 1843-61.