Ketuvim, Tehillim. Codex on Parchment. 12/13 Centuries

Ketuvim, Tehillim. Codex on Parchment. 12/13 Centuries

"Codex" [מִצְחָף] is the designation for ancient books written not in a scroll format, but in a page-by-page format, similar to the books in use today.

Latin origin of the name: Caudex - book or anthology. The original meaning of the Latin term is "tree trunk" due to the wooden boards used for writing.

The origin of mitzchaf is Arabic, and it already appears in books by the geonim. This term refers to handwritten works that have been bound and are read in a book format: page after page. The text appears on both sides of each page, as in today's printed books.

Large manuscript, arranged in one column, [20-23] lines per column. Oriental script with Tiberian vowelization, c. 12th/13th century. Ink on parchment.

The manuscript bears a passage from Sefer Tehillim:

Page 1: 22:15 "My heart is like wax, melted in my innards" to 24:3 "Who will ascend Hashem's mountain who will arise..." [21 lines]

Page 2 - "... to His place of sanctity" and ends with 26:3 "Your kindness is in front of my eyes ..." [23] lines.

Notes on mesorah-haketanah on the side of the text.

[1] leaf, taken from a binding. Expert's confirmation included.

Maximum dimensions - 324x353 mm.

Moderate condition. Aging stains. Fading and peeling ink. Several perforations and ink smudges, some with damage to text. Tears in the margins. Delicate professional restoration to two tears. The right margins have an original adhesion for another sheet, of which a small strip remains along the height of the leaf.