Seder Kriyat Shema Shel Laila 'al Derekh ha-Kabbalah (Order of the Evening Shema in the Kabbalistic Manner) [Italy]: 1798

39 leaves (4  1/4  x 2  1/4  in.; 108 x 58 mm). collation: 1¹, 2-10⁴, 11²= 39 leaves. Written in brown ink on parchment in square Hebrew vocalized script; 12 lines. Decorated title page with architectural motif. A few minor losses to corners, not affecting text; soiled; stained; some ink flaking. Losses to decorative pastedown endpapers.Text block detached from front board. Contemporary maroon gilt-tooled morocco; gilt stamped initials (G.C.) on upper board.

Kriyat Shema 'al ha-Mitah, is an extended version of the traditional Shema prayer recited before going to sleep. This is in keeping with the biblical injunction to recite these verses "when you lie down and when you rise up." In addition to the Shema itself, a series of complementary prayers and supplications are appended to the bedtime liturgy. In this kabbalistic version, additional suites of verses, arranged alphabetically in order to enhance their mystical effect, are provided, with a different set for each night of the week. Miniature manuscripts such as the present lot were created for the more affluent members of Italian Jewish society. Delicately written on fine parchment, this palm-sized liturgy provided its owner with the ability to readily access the lengthy series of verses and to recite them in their proper order.