Illustrated Sefer Minhagim in Yiddish. Homburg, 1729
This Yiddish translation of ‘Sefer Minhagim’ documents Ashkenazic Jewish customs and rites throughout the ages. It was written by one of the great Rishonim, Rabbi Eisik Tirnau who compiled the list of customs and added other customs practiced by his rebbi Rabbi Avraham Klausner, who was also the rebbi of the Maharil.
This sefer is regarded as the premier source of Ashkenazic customs and was one of the fundamental sources referenced by the Rema when inscribing his comments on the Shulchan Aruch regarding Ashkenazic rites. It was printed in over 100 editions, and due to its extensive use was printed with a Yiddish translation. The widespread use of this sefer is also the reason why most copies were disposed of over the years and are no longer extant.
The sefer features 16 woodcut illustrations pictorially depicting authentic Jewish lifestyle and mitzvah observance 300 years ago. Several of these drawings, such as the images of matzah baking on Leaf 18a and Havdalah on 27a, seem to be originals and are not found in similar editions.
Extremely rare. The National Library holds only a single, damaged copy.
Homburg, 1729. (Note that this Homburg is in central Germany and should not be confused with Hamburg which is located in the north of Germany).
Page Count: 68 leaves.
Page size: 17.5 cm.
Condition: Good, with new binding.
Provenance: William Gross Collection, Tel Aviv
