Unesaneh Tokef
Decorated Manuscript on Parchment –
Piyutim for Rosh Hashanah
Ashkenaz, 14th Century
Red Ink Decorations
A 14th-century manuscript on parchment—twelve pages in medium format—from the Rosh Hashanah tefillos according to Ashkenazic custom, written in vowelized Ashkenazic script.
The manuscript contains seven piyutim traditionally recited during Kedushah in the Mussaf prayer (see full list in the Hebrew text).
Included is the soul-stirring Unesaneh Tokef, attributed to Rabbi Amnon of Mainz, alongside other piyutim composed by Rabbi Elazar Hakalir, one of the greatest paytanim (composer of piyutim).
The opening letters of the piyutim are written in large letters; in three of them, the opening letter is further adorned with red ink embellishments.
Some of the piyutim follow acrostics—either in alphabetical order or in reverse (תשר"ק). In these piyutim, the acrostic letters (or part of them) are written in red ink. In the first piyut, every third stanza opens with a flourish in red ink next to the first letter.
In several places, the wording slightly deviates from the standard Ashkenazic version as printed by Daniel Goldschmidt in his machzor for Rosh Hashanah (Jerusalem 1970).
For example, in the Unesaneh Tokef piyut, Goldschmidt’s edition reads: “Mi yishalev umi yis’yaser, mi yarum umi yishafel, ” while in this manuscript it appears as: “Mi yoshlu umi yisyaser, mi yuram umi yishafel.” This is reminiscent of the wording brought by the Maharil in Sefer HaMinhagim: “Mi yushkat, mi yoshlu. Yesh omrim: mi yanu’a; mi yuram, mi yishafel” (Machon Jerusalem ed., p. 294).
For a detailed description of the manuscript’s contents and the seven piyutim contained within, refer to the Hebrew text.
Manuscript Description: [6] leaves, written on both sides. Square Ashkenazic script, with several notes in tiny cursive writing. This manuscript is a surviving fragment of a machzor, whose fate is unknown. The first piyut is missing the first six stanzas.
Maximum size: approx. 19 x 23 cm. Single column per page, 19 lines per column. The six leaves comprise a single booklet.
Condition: Good to fair. Age stains and small blemishes, primarily in the lower-right corner of some leaves. Some fading of ink in some letters. Fine new binding.
