Grace after Meals manuscript

Institution

The Israel Museum, Jerusalem

Object description:

This "Grace after Meals" manuscript includes, in addition to the Grace after Meals (Birkat Hamazon), blessings for various occasions (birkot ha-nehenin), the prayer said before retiring at night (Ker'iat Shema), four psalms, and the blessing recited some time after the first appearance of the new moon (Kiddush Levana). The tiny eighteenth-century manuscript of blessings for private use was written and painted by hand. Such books were often presented as personal gifts, given perhaps by a groom to his bride. The naive and colorful illustrations show men and women undertaking various religious duties. The figures wear fashionable clothes against richly decorated surroundings, portraying the lives of upper-class Ashkenazi Jews.

Object/Work type:

books of hours

Cultural Heritage type:

Information Forms (hierarchy name)

Location:

Jerusalem - Israel

Object measurements:

L: 7.4, W: 5.7 cm

Production

Nathan ben Shimshon of Mezeritz, Germany

Date: 1727

Material/Technique: Pen and ink and gouache on parchment

Acquisition

Israel Museum, Jerusalem

Subject/theme:

Jewish Art, Manuscripts, Jewish Art and Life

Resource

Rights Type:  

Record

Source: The Israel Museum, Jerusalem

Identifier: 251883