Auction 94 · Lot 312
Mishmereth HaChodesh [prayers for the new month].
- Estimate
- $600–$900
- Hammer price
- Not recorded
Historical auction record. Hammer prices exclude buyer’s premium and taxes.
author
(LITURGY).
printer
Dov Ber ben Shmuel Kara
Place
Tzfath (Safed)
Publication
1863
Description
First edition to include prayers against drought.
references
Vinograd, Safed 15; Yaari, Safed 14.
summary
The bulk of the prayers here were composed by R. Chaim Vital, chief disciple of the Ari z’l in Safed, who later moved to Damascus. This edition contains additional prayers by R. Mordechai Galant, the rabbi of Damascus.
While the work was popular in Europe and printed many times, this particular edition appears to have been prepared by and for the community of Damascus. It contains the Haskamot of multiple Damascene rabbis, including R. Haim Romano and R. Isaac Abulafia. As Damascus had no Hebrew press (only one Hebrew book was ever printed there in 1605), the press in Safed, a mere 60 miles away, was the best - and local - option.
ff. (3), 52. Few light stains. Contemporary patterned wrappers, light wear. 12mo.
Enquire about this lot 
![Mishmereth HaChodesh [prayers for the new month].](/media/catalog/product/0/9/094-312_1.jpg?w=1200)