(LITURGY)

Machzor [prayers for the entire year]. According to the rite of Rome.
Hebrew manuscript composed on vellum written in Italian square and semi-cursive scripts. Scribe: Samuel b. Moshe of Ravenna, with his signature dated 11th Mar-Cheshvan, 1469 on verso of f. 1. The owner Jacob b. Elia of Cali dedicated this Machzor to the synagogue of Ferrara on condition that all could read from it in the synagogue. Later signature of Yehudah b. Abraham Kohen, Meshareth of Kehila Kedosha Ferrara on f. 1b. Index of Selichoth on final two leaves in another hand. Marginal noations in various hands. Signed by censors. Contents: Part I (ff. 1-237): Daily services, Sabbath, Rosh Chodesh, festivals from Chanukah to Sabbath Nachamu. Part II (ff. 238- 370): Seder Tachnunim (Selichoth), High Holy Day services, Sukoth-Simchath Torah.
ff. 370. Variously stained or worn in places. Expert repairs, detailed conservation report tipped in at end. Modern calf-backed wooden boards with belt. Thick 4to.
Ferrara, Italy: 1469
See B. Richler, The Hebrew Manuscripts in the Valmadonna Trust Library (1998) pp. 61-3.===<< A magnificent and comprehensive mid-15th century liturgical manuscript of the Roman rite.>> This manuscript was specifically commissioned for the benefit of the synagogue in Ferrara and predates the Soncino Machzor, the first Hebrew printed prayer-book.===A selection of points of interest to be found in this manuscript: Birchath Hashachar contains variant blessings of Mechayeh HaMeithim, Shomer Geirim and Ohev Tzadikim (f. 3b). Folio 47 instructs the Chazan to sit for Veyitein Lecha. Contains laws relating to baking matzah (ff. 117-18), blessings before and after a meal, mourning, burial, birth, family purity, marriage, divorce, Chalitza, circumcision and Pidyon Haben, citing various scholars including Rabbeinu Meshulem and Rabbeinu Chananel (ff. 184-205, especially f. 203). According to Benjamin Richler portions of the halachic matter differ from later published versions. Included are uncommon Selichoth recited for special occasions: “Al Siphrei Hakodesh Shnignavu” (for holy books that were stolen, f. 72b) and “Al Likiyath Meoroth (for an eclipse, 75b), withholding of rain (f. 76a) and too much rain (f. 78a). Contains full text of a Hagadah for Passover (ff. 121-29 including a recipe for Charoseth with Italian words (f. 122). Sepher Ra’amim VeRa’ashim (portents of thunder and earthquakes, f. 205) followed by Moshe Kimchi’s Darkei Lashon Hakodesh and Mahalach Shevilei Hada’ath.===The Roman rite is rich in multifaceted piyutim. It originated in early medieval Rome and maintained a distinct identity. For a thorough, scholarly discussion of this rite, see Samuel David Luzzatto, Mavo LeMachzor Bnei Roma (1966).