Bidspirit auction | Sefer Yesod Illustrated Birkas Hamazon

Sefer Yesod Illustrated Birkas Hamazon and Zemiros for Shabbos Amsterdam, 1723 * ”Dash Bentchen” — order of Birkas Hamazon and zemiros for Shabbos in Ashkenazic-Polish rite. The sefer also includes the Pesach Haggadah, Krias Shema al Hamittah, and various prayers, blessings and supplications, all with their Yiddish translation and relevant laws and customs. 'Bentscherlach' like these often included a collection of prayers and blessings that were not regularly recited in shul, but were recited privately throughout the year. They were very popular among Ashkenazic Jewry, yet the vast majority faded or disintegrated due to constant use. This edition is one of the most beautiful of the 'bentscherlach'! This rare copy is preserved in a complete and beautiful condition. Woodcut illustrations and decorative initials appear throughout the sefer. The illustrations in this bentcher include the lighting of Shabbos candles, the lighting of Chanukah candles, Havdalah, Jews dressed up for Purim, a chuppah, and bris milah. List of illustrations: Lighting of Shabbos candles (leaf 7a), Order of Havdalah (leaf 26a), Lighting of Chanukah candles (leaf 30a), Jews with costumes on Purim (leaf 32a), Order of chuppah and kiddushin (leaf 33b), Conducting a bris milah (leaf 34b), Order of burial (leaf 38a). Contents of the sefer: Birkas Hamazon; zemiros for Shabbos and Motza'ei Shabbos; zemiros for Chanukah and Purim; Birkas Hamazon for weddings; order of Bris Milah and Pidyon Haben; Eiruv Tavshilin; Kapparos; prayers at a cemetery; Krias Shema al Hamittah; the Pesach Haggadah; and the order of Birkos Hanehenin. Amsterdam, 1723. Page Count: 71 leaves. Size: Approx. 19.5 cm. Condition: Minor restoration to the title page with paper repair at its lower edge; small holes in the first five leaves. Aside from this, a fine copy, in good condition. Typical usage stains in the Pesach Haggadah. An old colored binding, slightly damaged, with holes. Provenance: Bill Gross collection. Bibliography: Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, no. 444. The Haggadah is printed on leaves 47b–68a, and is listed in Otzar Haggados no. 145.