Sepher Sephath Emeth [prayers through the year]. According to Sephardic rite, and with Kavanoth of the Ar’i z’l.

(LITURGY).

Israel ben Abraham Bak

Safed

1832

According to the Sephardic rite. With Lurianic meditations. Four-year calendar at end.

Vinograd, Safed 7.

The First Hebrew Prayer-Book Printed in the Land of Israel. The book contains the endorsements of several rabbis, most notably R. Nissim Zerachyah Azulai (1780-1837) grandson of R. Chaim Joseph David Azulai (Chid’a); Chassidic Rabbi Gershon Margoliouth, grandson of R. Issachar Dov Baer of Zlotchov and Safed (author Bath Eyni and Mevaser Tzedek) and Rabbi Yisrael of Shklov, on behalf of the community of Perushim, the disciples of the Vilna Gaon. As R. Nissim Azulai explains in his introduction, he was invited by Israel Bak to include in the work several excerpts from the books of his grandfather which he incorporated in a commentary here entitled “Emeth Yehegeh.” The title notes that all those who labored at Bak’s press were pious Jews and therefore prayers recited from this particular prayer-book will most assuredly be heard on High. Bak’s earliest printing effort upon arrival to Safed from Berditchev. The first Hebrew book printed in Safed after an interval of almost two and a half centuries.