Sefer Minhagim. Rare Sefer Yesod! Amsterdam, 1723. By Rabbi Eizik Tirnau.

Sefer Minhagim. Rare Sefer Yesod! Amsterdam, 1723. By Rabbi Eizik Tirnau.

Sefer Minhagim on Ashkenaz Jewry customs, includes customs for the entire year. In Yiddish-Deutsch translation, written in Tzena U’rena letters (Hebrew lettering). With magnificent, artistic woodcut engraving illustrations.

Sefer Yesod on Ashkenaz customs.

The author, Rabbi Eizik Tirnau, lists customs, and adds a number of his teacher, Rabbi Avraham Klausner’s customs. This composition is a primary source of the Rema’s glosses on Shulchan Aruch, regarding all Ashkenaz customs.

This book was accepted as a fundamental resource on Jewish life. It was reprinted in more than a hundred editions. Due to its great practicality, the book was printed in a Yiddish translation version. Due to heavy-use, copies became worn out, and early editions are not found.

Sefer Minhagim in Yiddish was first published in Venice, 1589. The first edition was printed without illustrations. A few years later, in 1592, a second edition was printed in Venice, which boasted depictions throughout the book of various customs. Thereafter, the illustrations morphed into an integral feature of Sefer Minhagim, and were reprinted in other publications including Passover Haggadot.

The book includes over 30 magnificent woodcut engravings that illustrate fulfilment of Mitzvot and portray Jewish life 300 years ago.

Among the depictions are: Havdalah, a woman lighting candles, Kiddush Levanah, Shabbat Hagadol sermon, bringing wheat to grind for flour for Matzot, Bedikat Chametz, Matzah baking, blowing Shofar, Sukkot, Arba Minim and a wedding.

Amsterdam, 1723. Yitzchak di Cordova Press. Sefer Yesod. Rare.

61 leaves. 19.5 cm. Very good condition. Standard wear and stains from age. Absolutely splendid, crimson, leather binding with gilt embellishments.

Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, No. 255.

Unique, rare, Halachic Sefer Yesod on Ashkenaz customs.