Bidspirit auction | Seder Meah Berachos, with the

Seder Meah Berachos, with the moving prayer for the holy martyrs burned in the auto-da-fé, may God avenge their blood – Amsterdam 1687 (Taf Mem Zayin). Complete copy. - A historical and bibliographical work, printed in Amsterdam in the years 1687–1688 (Taf Mem Zayin–Taf Mem Ches). It bears within it the anguish of the children of our nation, printed for the community of Bnei HaAnusim, who returned to Judaism and were not fluent in the Hebrew language. It includes blessings over mitzvos and enjoyments, various prayers, the Haggadah of Pesach, laws of blessings and slaughter (in rhymed form), and customs, with the text presented in a parallel format page facing page in Hebrew and Spanish in corresponding pagination. Decorated with approbations of the leading sages of Amsterdam of that period: Rabbi Yitzchak Aboab (the Third), Rabbi Yaakov Sasportas, and Rabbi Shlomo de Oliveira. The work uniquely reflects the lifestyle and historical wounds of the descendants of the Iberian Peninsula in Amsterdam; it includes the order of conversion of proselytes and slaves, a “blessing upon acquiring slaves, ” as well as the poignant memorial prayer “Hashkavas HaSreifos al Kiddush Hashem” (p. 90), recited in memory of the Anusim who were burned at the stake in the Inquisition’s auto-da-fé ceremonies. From an artistic and typographical perspective, the work is considered a milestone in Hebrew printing, being among the first Hebrew books adorned with high-quality copper engravings. At the beginning of the book are two title pages: the first is entirely a copper engraving containing five miniature illustrations depicting mitzvos and blessings (Blessing of the New Moon, Shofar blowing, blessing over spices, circumcision, and an illustration of Yitzchak Avinu sowing “Meah Shearim”), dated Taf Mem Zayin (5447). The second, more detailed title page bears the inscription “Simani K’Chosam Al Libecha, ” alluding to the year Taf Mem Ches (1688). At the end of the book are dedicated calendars. [1] illustrated title leaf, [10] leaves, 303, 54, [1], [15], 7, [20] pages. Pocket edition, 13 cm. Ginzey Yisrael (Mehlman Collection) no. 277. Later leather binding, gilt edges. Staining. Condition: Good to very good.