Machzor [prayers for the entire year]. According to Roman rite.

(LITURGY).

Soncino

Soncino-Casal Maggiore

1485-6

FIRST EDITION. Two volumes. * Vol. I: Weekday, Sabbath, Rosh Chodesh, Chanukah, Purim, Four Parshiyoth, Pesach, (including Passover Hagadah), Ethics of the Fathers Shavu’oth, Fast Days, Tisha B’Av and Shabbath Nachamu. * Vol. II: Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukoth, Simchath Torah and related laws and customs. Prayers are printed in square type, instructions and laws are printed in rabbinic type. Initials floriated; the word “Matzah” in the Hagadah is floriated on a round seder plate (Vol. I on quire 9, 8a); initial “Hoshanah” (on quire 15, 5b) floriated and between fleur-de-lis devices.

Vinograd, Soncino 12; Goff Heb-73; Offenberg 83; Steinschneider, col. 393, no. 2576; Thes. A-37; Iakerson 30; Y. Yudlov, HaMachzorim HaRishonim Keminhag Roma in: Kiryath Sepher Vol. 64, (1992-93) pp. 1435-48.

THE SONCINO MACHZOR, THE VERY FIRST HEBREW PRINTED PRAYER BOOK. “This magnificent incunable is one of Soncino’s most outstanding productions. It is the first book fully vocalised and with woodcut headings all the way through the text. It is the only book printed in Casal Maggiore and took an entire year to print due to the complexity of the contents.” (Wineman Catalogue, no. 21). The Roman rite, also known as the Italian, or “Lo’azim” rite, is rich in multifaceted piyutim. It originated in early medieval Rome and maintained a distinct identity. For a thorough, scholarly discussion of this rite, see Samuel David Luzzatto: Mavo LeMachzor Bnei Roma (1966). See also the facsimile of this Machzor with companion volume of studies, ably edited by Angelo Piattelli (Jerusalem, 2012). See Treasures of the Valmadonna Trust Library - Otzroth Ya’akov, Incunables no. 19.