Order of Maamados.
Exquisite Miniature Manuscript on Parchment
with Elaborate Colorful Illustrations.
Fürth, 18th Century
Order of Weekday Maamados, including special prayers to be recited on each day of the week. This manuscript was inscribed and designed by a master artist in fine block letters. It features a splendidly illustrated cover page, decorative letters (initials), frames, bouquets of flowers and drawings in an array of color, including gold.
The cover page boasts a colorful architectural-style design flanked by images of Dovid Hamelech and his son Shlomo Hamelech. Titles for every day of the week appear in colorful letters with ornate borders. All titles mentioned in the body of the text were inscribed in red letters, and opening letters are enlarged.
At the end of every day of the week is a special prayer to be recited that day based on the wisdom of kabbalah.
Illustrated manuscripts on parchment have historically been regarded as treasured collectibles. In this piece, the scribe himself notes on the title page that the sefer was “Purely handwritten on quality parchment, with fine ink and illustrations.”
This Order of Maamados comprises the order of prayer and reading of the Torah, classified by the days of the week, including Tanach, Mishnah and Gemara. It is based on teachings in the Gemara in Tractate Taanis 26a and assorted prayers.
The identity of the one who compiled Maamados is unknown, as the Yaabetz writes in his siddur: “I do not know who he is; I have searched and scoured the poskim and sefarim, but I have discovered neither his identity nor name.”
The title page proclaims: “One who recites this every day is promised a share in the world-to-come.”
Page count: 69 leaves.
Size: 8.5 x 6.5 cm. Thin, light parchment.
Condition: Minor stains; title page slightly cut on top. The scribe’s name and date, which originally appeared at the bottom of the title page, were erased over time. Original leather binding. Preserved in an elegant new leather box, box size: 18 x 23 cm.
Provenance: Moldovan Collection
