Top of page

About this Item

Title

  • Siddur.

Summary

  • This codex is widely considered to be one of the most original of extant medieval mahzorim (Jewish holy day prayer books) from Spain, dating probably from the beginning of the 14th century. Written in Hebrew in Sephardic square characters, it contains two distinct parts that later were bound together. The larger part forms a Haggadah shel Pesach (the text of the order of service used at the beginning of Passover). It includes piyutim (liturgical poems, usually sung or chanted) for Passover and the Aramaic targum (translation) of Exodus, followed by liturgical poetry for Shavuot (which commemorates the gift of the Torah to the Israelites) and Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles). Most characteristic is the way key words of the liturgy are illustrated, the characters being transformed into zoomorphic and anthropomorphic grotesque creatures, a fashion that was widespread in medieval Jewish manuscripts in Spain. The manuscript originally belonged to the famous collection of manuscripts and incunabula owned by Alexander, Earl of Hamilton, which was acquired in 1882 by the Prussian state. Since 1919, the Hebrew items from the collection have been in the holdings of the Oriental Department of the Berlin State Library.

Created / Published

  • [place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified], [1300 to 1350]

Headings

  • -  Spain
  • -  1300 to 1350
  • -  Codex
  • -  Haggadot
  • -  Illuminations
  • -  Liturgies
  • -  Poetry
  • -  Prayers

Notes

  • -  Title devised, in English, by Library staff.
  • -  Original resource extent: 106 pages.
  • -  Original resource at: Berlin State Library - Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation.
  • -  Content in Hebrew.
  • -  Description based on data extracted from World Digital Library, which may be extracted from partner institutions.

Medium

  • 1 online resource.

Source Collection

  • Illuminated Manuscripts from Europe

Digital Id

Library of Congress Control Number

  • 2021667532

Online Format

  • compressed data
  • pdf
  • image

Additional Metadata Formats

IIIF Presentation Manifest

Rights & Access

The Library of Congress is unaware of any copyright or other restrictions in the World Digital Library Collection. Absent any such restrictions, these materials are free to use and reuse. Researchers are encouraged to review the source information attached to each item. For information on contacting WDL partner organizations, see this archived list of partners

The Library asks that researchers approach the materials in this collection with respect for the culture and sensibilities of the people whose lives, ideas, and creativity are documented here.

Credit Line: [Original Source citation], World Digital Library

More about Copyright and other Restrictions

For additional information and contact information for many of the partner organizations, see this archived capture of the World Digital Library site from 2021.

For guidance about compiling full citations consult Citing Primary Sources.

Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Siddur. [Place of Publication Not Identified: Publisher Not Identified, to 1350, 1300] Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/2021667532/.

APA citation style:

(1300) Siddur. [Place of Publication Not Identified: Publisher Not Identified, to 1350] [Pdf] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2021667532/.

MLA citation style:

Siddur. [Place of Publication Not Identified: Publisher Not Identified, to 1350, 1300] Pdf. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2021667532/>.