Decorated Milah Book (Circumcision Manual) of Gershon ben Yehiel Yohanan ha-Kohen, Piedmont: 1821

[5], 38 leaves (8 x 4 3/4 in.; 204 x 120 mm). Written in Italianate Hebrew square and semi-cursive scripts in brown ink; blind ruled in hardpoint. Lavishly decorated in watercolor and gouache on paper. Light flaking to decorative frames, ff. 1-4; small waterstain f. 5; minor winestains as expected ff. 14-23; light marginal soiling. Marbled endpapers; edges gilt. Contemporary red morocco, edged in gilt; clasps, catches and central boss perished.

Gershon ben Yehiel Yohanan ha-Kohen.

A mohel is a religious functionary who performs the brit milah (circumcision) on eight day old male Jewish infants. In addition to the requisite pertinent medical knowledge a mohel must be familiar with the text of the blessings, prayers and special occasional poems to be recited during the ceremony. Since these were rarely found in more general liturgical works, mohalim tended to have their own private milah-books. The present lot is an example of the lengths some mohalim went to in order to beautify these circumcision manuals.

This profusely decorated milah book features a broad variety of ornamental motifs presented within an expansive series of thirty-six beautifully framed pages, each unique in its choice of both color palette and style.  The various frames include geometric, architectural, and figural designs, with the latter drawing upon floral and vegetal motifs as well as a substantial bestiary of both real and imagined creatures.

Contents:
[1r] Record of the deaths of Gershon ha-Kohen's father and his wife
[1v-5v] Blank
1r-4r: Kabbalistic intentions to be recited by the mohel in advance of the circumcision
4v-8v: Prayer for the mohel.
9r-12r: 'Arzei Levanon. Liturgical poem written by Samuel Archivolti (1515–1611)
12v-13r: mi-Dam Besari. Liturgical poem written by Moses Zacuto (1625-1697) to be recited when circumcising one's own son.
13v-15r: Psalms 128 and 121.
15r: Instructions for the sandeket and the formal welcoming of the child.
15v- 20v: The circumcision ceremony.
21r-33r: Grace after meals for the circumcision feast
33v-35r: Special prayer for the circumcision of an orphan child being named after the deceased father. Quoted in the name of Yom Tov ibn Ishbilli (Ritva).
35v-36r: Dedication by the mohel Gershon ben Yehiel Yohanan ha-Kohen commemorating the circumcision of his son Raphael Ben-Zion. Gershon pays tribute to both his father (who served as the sandak) and his wife Deborah.
36r-38r: Register of fifteen circumcisions performed by Gershon ha-Kohen between 1822-1830. These were performed exclusively for the members of his own family and the related Segre and Foa families. It seems likely that Gershon did not practice circumcision as a profession but rather provided his services exclusively to his kinsmen. The locations mentioned in this register are clustered in the Piedmont region of Northern Italy and include Chieri, Torino, Ivrea, Savigliano. It is likely that Gershon was located in Vercelli, also in the Piedmont region and the ancestral home of his relatives, the Segre family.