Manuscript, Yemen – Seder Selichot – In the Handwriting of the Maharitz

Manuscript, Seder Selichot – piyyutim of Selichot and of Rachamim according to the early custom of Yemenite Jews. Yemen, [18th century].
Especially beautiful calligraphy, written in spacious paragraphs with enlarged opening words. Vowelized. The vowels of the opening words are written in a hollow font.
The handwriting was examined by experts and was found to be identical to the handwriting of Rabbi Yichya son of R' Yosef Tzalach, the greatest Yemen sage of those times. In his youth, he earned a living by copying holy books, a prevalent practice among Yemenite sages.
Rabbi Yichya son of R' Yosef Tzalach – the Maharitz (1715-1805), was the foremost Yemenite rabbi in the 18th century and one of the leading later Torah authorities. Disciple of his grandfather Mari Tzalach and disciple of Rabbi Aharon HaCohen Araki, Rabbi Yichye Araki and Rabbi David Mashraki, author of Shtilei Zetim. At the age of 43, he was appointed Chief Rabbi and Ra'avad of all the Yemenite communities, a position he held for more than 45 years. His authority was unequivocally accepted in Yemen and until this day, many members of the Yemenite community follow his customs and rulings. He compiled the Tiklal siddur with the Etz Chaim commentary and many halachic works: Zevach Todah, Sha'arei Kedusha on the laws of shechita, Sha'arei Tahara on the laws of Nidah, Pe'ulat Tzaddik responsa and other books of halachic, mussar and Kabbalah.
[31] pages. 14.5 cm. Good-fair condition, wear and restored worming damages, stains. New leather binding.
Enclosed is a letter authorizing the identity of the writer, by R' Yitzchak Ratzabi, a leading expert on Yemenite manuscripts. He writes: "I recognize the handwriting of the Maharitz, apparently from his youth, which explains the slight variations from his handwritten Tiklal Etz Chaim".