Techinah shel Elul [supplications and petitions for the the month of Elul and onwards].

(WOMEN).

(Russia?)

19th century

Manuscript in a mix of Hebrew (square letters) and Yiddish (cursive letters) all written in a neat hand. Title within rectangular frame. With signature of an early owner: “Chana Gevitch.” From the library of Haim Liberman.

Despite the title, this manuscript contains Techinoth for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Hoshanah Rabba and Yizkor. Intimate, tender and highly personal, Techinah prayers were composed almost exclusively for the needs of Jewish women and thus their literary style were shaped according to the psyche and patterns of a woman’s life.