Bidspirit auction | Tikun Keriah Lechol Lailah VeYom

Tikun Keriah Lechol Lailah VeYom – Amsterdam, 1666 – Sabbatean Order of Tikunim Edited by Nathan of Gaza – Rare Half-Title with Engraving of Shabtai Tzvi Sitting on Royal Throne - Tikun Keriah Lechol Lailah VeYom – Tikun for every night and day – a Sabbatean order of Tikunim compiled by Nathan of Gaza, ”prophet” of the false messiah Shabtai Tzvi. Amsterdam: Yitzchak son of David de Castro Tartas, [1666]. Pocket format. Special copy, including engraved illustration of Shabtai Tzvi sitting on a throne, donning a royal crown. The book's chronogram, ”Moshia” (redeemer), alludes to Shabtai Tzvi's appearance that year. A foreword with news of the Redemption was printed on the verso of the title page: ”Peace to the hopes of my people, today is a day of good tidings, the songs of Israel to deliver tidings to the humble…” (Gershom Scholem suggests that the foreword may have been composed by R. Shlomo de Oliveyra). The Tikun was compiled by Nathan of Gaza, yet his name is not mentioned on the title pages of the Hebrew editions (see Kedem, Auction 104 Part 1, Lot 98, for a Spanish edition, where the name of the editor ”Natan Squenazi” is mentioned on the title page). A special feature of the present edition is the illustrated copper engraving printed on a leaf at the beginning of the book, with two scenes depicting Shabtai Tzvi. The top of the illustration reads ”Tikun”, while the bottom reads ”You shall study it day and night” (Yehoshua 1:8). G. Scholem counts at least three editions prefaced with various engravings; see: Kedem, Auction 78, Lot 8, for an engraving with different illustrations). The present book of Tikunim was published at the pinnacle of the mass movement of repentance which swept through the Jewish world upon hearing Shabtai Tzvi's tidings of the Redemption and news of the events occurring around him, which spread rapidly from the East to other European Jewish communities. Amsterdam was one of the important centers of Sabbatean awakening at that time, and many editions of Sabbatean Tikunim were printed there by the local Jewish printers (Joseph Athias, David de Castro Tartas and Uri Phoebus son of R. Aharon HaLevi). Their publication in Amsterdam was presumably also for the purpose of being disseminated throughout Europe. The Amsterdam printers competed over who could produce more complete and beautiful editions of the books of Tikunim, and Amsterdam Torah scholars (in particular R. Yitzchak Aboab de Fonseca and R. Shlomo de Oliveyra) even inserted some important additions in some editions, including sections of prayers, confessions and songs. For more information about the spread of the Sabbatean movement in Amsterdam, and the printing of books of Tikunim, see: G. Scholem, Sabbatai Sevi, Princeton University Press, 1973, pp. 518-545. [1], 94, [2] leaves. 11.5 cm. Varying condition of leaves, good-fair to fair. Stains. Wear. Marginal tears and open tears to several leaves, slightly affecting text. Tears and open tears to engraving at beginning of book, barely affecting illustration, repaired with paper filling. Original binding with parchment spine. Wear and defects to binding. Provenance: Collection of Mozes Heiman Gans.