Bidspirit auction | Miniature Siddur Exceptionally Small –

Miniature Siddur Exceptionally Small – Only 6.5 cm! Amsterdam, 1739 * A very small sized siddur containing the order of prayers for weekdays, Shabbos, and the festivals in accordance with the customs of Sephardic communities. On leaf 223 there is a separate title page: “Order of Prayers for the Festivals, according to the custom of the Sephardic Congregation.” The siddur was printed by Rabbi Meir Crescas, who had traveled to Amsterdam during that time to print the Teshuvos HaTashbetz. In his preface to the siddur, he writes that previous editions of miniature siddurim printed in Amsterdam were printed without vowels (nekudos), which made it difficult for children to use. Therefore he published this edition with vowels “the likes of which have never existed before, with small and fine letters and with new and beautiful vowels.” Some extant copies contain only 222 leaves - without the prayers for the festivals, whereas this is a complete copy of 318 leaves. This siddur is among the smallest Hebrew sefarim ever printed in the early centuries of Hebrew printing! Moreover, it is the first miniature siddur with vowels ever produced! Amsterdam, 1739. Page Count: 318 leaves. Size: Only 6.5 cm. Condition: Good. New fine binding. Provenance: Kedem Auction (2024).