Bidspirit auction | High Holiday Machzor – Following

High Holiday Machzor – Following the Custom of the Holy Community of Sana’a – Fine Manuscript with an Illustrated Title Page – [1886]. Additions of Kabbalistic Kavanot and Glosses in Manuscript - Manuscript Machzor for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Following the Custom of the Holy Community of Sana’a. Written by Suleiman ben Yahya Naqash.[1886]. An extensive manuscript machzor for the High Holidays, containing the prayers for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur according to the custom of the Jewish community of Sana’a, Yemen. At the beginning of the manuscript is an illustrated title page decorated in black and red ink, beneath which appears the scribe’s colophon: “That which God has graciously bestowed upon His servant. May He rebuild His Sanctuary and establish His tabernacle of peace, and may He grant us the merit of being among those who fulfill His will, Amen, may it be His will. The young Suleiman ben Yahya Naqash, may his Rock and Redeemer protect him.” The manuscript displays a noticeable influence from Sephardic prayer books. The instructions and Kabbalistic intentions (kavanot) were copied from the Chesed LeAvraham prayer book, printed in Livorno. Several piyyutim from Sephardic prayer books, which are not found in traditional Yemenite siddurim, were also incorporated, including: “Elohai Al Tedineini, ” “Hashem Yom Lecha E’erokh, ” “Yedei Rashim, ” and “Yah Shimcha Aromemcha.” The combination of the traditional rite and customs of the Sana’a community with Kabbalistic intentions, instructions, and piyyutim originating in Sephardic prayer books reflects the penetration and influence of Livorno-printed prayer books upon the Yemenite liturgical tradition, giving this manuscript particular significance for the study of Jewish liturgy and the customs of Yemenite Jewry. Manuscript comprising hundreds of pages, written on thick white paper. 16.5 cm. Condition: Fair. Numerous wormholes, primarily along the inner margins.