Sefer Birkhot ha-Nehenin im Sefirat ha-Omer (Occasional Blessings and the Order of the Counting of the Omer), Manuscript on Parchment, Written and Illustrated by Isaac Zelig, son of Samson Pesseles, Furth: 1752

40 leaves (3 5/8 x 2 3/4 in.; 92 mm by 70 mm) including the final blank, written in dark brown ink in several sizes of a square Ashkenazi hand, with nikud (vowel points), headings in red, every page within a decorative red frame, twelve decorated headings in designs of colored flowers or elaborate colored penwork, half-page decorated tailpiece of colored flowers in a basket, full-page design of a menorah with the text of Psalm 67 (f.11r), full-page architectural title filled with colored flowers and leaves, worn throughout, contemporary red morocco gilt with central floral tools and birds in each corner, blue gilt paper endleaves, fitted with a silver bookbinding early eighteenth century, probably German, apparently unmarked. Front  cover with fine embossed image of the Finding of Moses in the Bullrushes, back cover with embossed image of Moses before the Burning Bush, each within a wreath surrounded by floral motifs. Spine chased with three quatrefoils divided by bands of flowers, with catch and clasp.

(1) Written for the bride, Bella daughter of Zalman (title page).  (2) S.M. Manheim; his no. 20 (signature on flyleaf, c. 1900)

40 leaves (last blank), 92 mm by 70 mm, written in dark brown ink in several sizes of a square Ashkenazi hand, with nikud (vowel points), Yiddish text in a "Ze'ena ur'ena" script, headings in red, every page within a decorative red frame, twelve decorated headings (mostly the word "Baruch") in designs of coloured flowers or elaborate coloured penwork, half-page decorated tailpiece of coloured flowers in a basket, full-page design of a menorah in yellow-green and red (f.11r) with the text of Psalm 67, full-page architectural title filled with coloured flowers and leaves, worn throughout, contemporary red morocco gilt with central floral tools and birds in each corner, blue gilt paper endleaves, fitted with a silver bookbinding early 18th century, probably German, apparently unmarked. Front cover with fine embossed image of the Finding of Moses in the Bullrushes, back cover with embossed image of Moses before the Burning Bush, each within a wreath surrounded by floral motifs. Spine chased with three quatrefoils divided by bands of flowers, with catch and clasp.
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During the eighteenth century, miniature volumes such as this one, containing a variety of Hebrew prayers and blessings, were frequently commissioned by grooms and presented to their brides on the occasion of their marriage. This charming manuscript was written for the bride Beila, daughter of Zalman. As the elaborate silver binding contains scenes from the life of Moses, it is conceivable  that the manuscript was a gift from a groom named Moses.

The manuscript contains blessings recited on a daily basis as well as the blessings for the counting of the Omer. According to Jewish custom, the seven week period between Passover and Shavuot is marked by the counting of the omer.  For forty-nine days, starting with the 16^th of Nissan, the second day of Passover on which the korban ha-omer or new grain offering was brought in the Bet Hamikdash, a special blessing is recited and the particular day of the omer is enumerated out loud.  In the first half of the eighteenth century, scribe-artists were commissioned to create manuscripts containing the blessing, a listing of the 49 days as well as assorted related prayers in order to facilitate the observance of this commandment and to ensure that each day was properly marked. 

Folio 11r contains an image of a menorah with the verses from Psalm 67 written within. This psalm is often included in Sefirat ha-Omer manuscripts since its text comprises seven verses and exactly 49 words (excluding the first, introductory verse). This corresponds precisely to the seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot and to the 49 days of the omer.  Furthermore, the combination of the seven-branched menorah and Psalm 67 was thought to have mystical and amuletic qualities.