Kestenbaum & Company
Mishmereth HaChodesh [prayers for the new month].

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.
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