Bidspirit auction | Order of Women’s Prayers –

Order of Women’s Prayers – A Unique Manuscript by Rabbi David Zacuto [Zecher David], Modena. Italy, circa 1810. - Manuscript, Order of Women’s Prayers – a collection of special prayers for women. The prayers are in Hebrew, written in square script. Headings and instructions are in Italian (Latin letters). This prayer order offers a moving testimony to the spiritual and family life of the Jewish community in Italy. The manuscript contains a comprehensive סדר of prayers apparently composed by the author for his rebbetzin wife, as a personal siddur and regular devotional companion. Included are prayers for conception; special prayers for a pregnant woman; a unique prayer for the ninth month; and a thanksgiving prayer after childbirth. Particular emphasis is placed on supplications to merit “a righteous, pious, holy son who will illuminate the eyes of Israel through Your Torah.” Also included are prayers for the lighting of Sabbath candles, separating challah, and the night of immersion. Further prayers include petitions for the protection of the newborn child, safeguarding from the evil eye, and a special prayer for a nursing mother. Colophon on the first page: “Which God graciously granted me, His humble servant, the young David Zacuto of Modena, may his Rock preserve him” – bearing the clear autograph signature of Rabbi David Zacuto. The gaon Rabbi David Zacuto (1778–1865) served as Rabbi of Modena and authored the work Zecher David. A descendant of Rabbi Moshe Zacuto, nephew and disciple of Rabbi Chaim ben Betzalel Vital? Zera Shimshon, and a foremost student of the בעל Zera Emet. He served as rabbi, educator, and expert mohel, combining knowledge of medicine and science with unwavering fidelity to tradition. He was renowned for his struggle against assimilation and for composing halachic works and ethical writings reflecting the scholarship of Italian Jewry. His figure bridges the classical Torah world with the innovations of modernity, and his descendants live today in Israel and Italy. Approx. [100] pages. Good condition. Stains. Magnificent new leather binding.