Bidspirit auction | Miniature Manuscript – Rules of

Miniature Manuscript – Rules of Grammar – Casale (Italy), 1749 * A pocket-format manuscript, a work in three parts dealing with the grammar of Lashon HaKodesh, the cantillation marks of the Scripture, the vowels, the pronouns, the verbs, and more. Most of the manuscript is written in Italian using Hebrew characters, with several words appearing in Italian letters. Words originating from Lashon HaKodesh are written in square script, generally with vocalization. The work opens with the cantillation marks of the Scripture, among other reasons, because the musical rhythm of the words assists in understanding their grammatical structure. The manuscript is dated 1749 and is signed by the scribe Kalman Yehuda Cohen Pavia, a resident of Casale Monferrato, Italy. The dating appears on leaf 36a (original page count), written in hollow and colorful letters accompanied by ornamentation: “The first part is completed, in the year התק”ט (1749) of creation.” The following leaf features an impressive and colorful “emblem, ” characteristic of the Italian tradition of family crests: it is formed as a round cartouche surmounted by a crown. In its lower section is the figure of an animal, and in its upper section the figure of a single-headed eagle. Within the cartouche, the scribe wrote his name several times: “Kalman Yehuda Cohen, ” “KYKP [Kalman Yehuda Cohen Pavia].” It is possible that this was a personal or family emblem of the scribe. On leaf 37b, an additional drawing of part of the emblem extends the height of the page. In the National Library of Israel, there is another manuscript copied by this same scribe: the sefer Eileh HaMatzos by Rabbi Moshe Chagiz, which he copied in Casale in the years 1752–1753. At the end of the manuscript are several “Yehi Ratzon” supplications and prayers for Yom Kippur, including Holy Names. Several manuscripts of this work are known that circulated in Italy in the mid-18th century. In the National Library of Israel and the Jewish Theological Seminary, there are two manuscripts of this work, both dated 1754, five years after the present manuscript, dated 1749. Casale (Italy), 1749 Page Count: Approx. 103 written pages. The work is complete. Size : Pocket format, 12.3 cm. Condition : Good; holes, most of them restored. The manuscript is bound in an antique cardboard binding, with the rear board extended and folding over the front board for closing.