Bidspirit auction | Machzorim for Rosh Hashanah and

Machzorim for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur According to the Sephardic Rite – Amsterdam, 1771 – Two Volumes in Magnificent Gold-Tooled Leather Bindings - Order of Prayers for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur according to the rite of the Sephardic communities. Amsterdam, 1771. Two volumes. An especially attractive set in magnificent period leather bindings richly decorated with gold tooling. Two volumes of the renowned Machzor of the Spanish-Portuguese Jewish community of Amsterdam, printed separately for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. A handsome and carefully produced edition reflecting the distinguished liturgical tradition of one of Europe’s most important Sephardic communities in the 18th century. The title pages refer to the edition that preceded the present printing: “As previously printed by the proofreader… R. Samuel Rodriguez Mendes, of blessed memory, and now brought to print… by R. Jacob da Silva Mendes…” Approbation of the Rabbi of Amsterdam’s Sephardic Community At the beginning of each volume appears the approbation of the Gaon Rabbi Solomon Salem, Rabbi of the Sephardic community of Amsterdam. In his approbation, Rabbi Solomon Salem grants the publisher exclusive rights to print the Machzor and prohibits its reprinting for fifteen years, in order to protect him from financial loss. He warmly praises the publisher, Rabbi Jacob da Silva Mendes, describing him as: “The worthy young man, who brings merit to the public, zealous in the performance of mitzvot and acts of kindness.” The approbation adds considerable interest to the edition as a document of the printing history and communal life of Amsterdam’s Sephardic Jews, and attests to the financial and communal investment required to produce an elegant and accurate prayer book for the community. Folded Handwritten Tashlich Leaf According to Kabbalah The Rosh Hashanah volume comprises: [1], 86, [1] leaves. Bound into the volume is an additional folded handwritten leaf containing the order of Tashlich according to Kabbalah – an interesting and unusual addition to the Machzor. The Yom Kippur volume comprises: [2], 128, 127–171 leaves. Handwritten Certification by the Publisher The Yom Kippur volume is of particular importance: on the final page appears a handwritten certification and signature by the cantor Rabbi Jacob da Silva Mendes, publisher of the Machzor and a prominent member of Amsterdam’s Portuguese Jewish community. Thus, the present copy bears the personal handwritten testimony of the very individual responsible for bringing this edition to print. Both volumes also bear the ownership signature of the cantor Eliezer Aaron Barash. Magnificent Gold-Tooled Leather Bindings Both Machzorim are bound in attractive and impressive period leather bindings, richly decorated with gold tooling. The matching gilt decoration gives the two volumes an elegant and uniform appearance, appropriate for prayer books intended for the High Holidays. The bindings bear the inscription “… … CASTRO” in gilt lettering. An important two-volume Sephardic Machzor from Amsterdam, distinguished by an exceptional combination of features: magnificent gold-tooled leather bindings, a folded handwritten Tashlich leaf according to Kabbalah, a handwritten certification by the publisher, and a cantor’s ownership signature – fascinating remnants of the world of Amsterdam’s Spanish-Portuguese Jewish community in the 18th century. Good–very good condition. Original leather bindings, with minor rubbing.