Peratim LeSephirath Ha’Omer [list of verses for numerical extrapolations]

GRAZIANO, ABRAHAM JOSEPH SOLOMON.

Italy

17th century

Manuscript in Hebrew, written in semi-cursive Italian hand on paper.

A list of verses and their source, corresponding with the day of the Omer counting. This manuscript belonged to R. Abraham Joseph Solomon Graziano with his signature appearing several times in the book (flyleaf, first and last leaves). It is possible the manuscript was in fact written by him. R. Graziano (d. 1684) was born in Pesaro where he studied under Isaac Raphael Ventura. He lived for some time in Rome, proceeding from there to Modena where he studied under his grandfather, Nathaniel Trabot, who ordained him in 1647. He first served as a member of the Bet Din of Modena, where he was later appointed rabbi. His characteristic signature, Ish Ger (“a strange man”) is a play on the first letters of his name and on his being a “stranger” in Modena. R. Graziano was broad-minded and his leniency with regard to some local custom aroused the opposition of some of his contemporaries. As a poet he was highly appreciated, his style being both easy and elegant.