Siddur in Sephardic Rite with Spectacular Engraving
Following the traditions of the anusim of Spain!
Amsterdam, 1726
Order of prayers for the weekday, Shabbos, Rosh Chodesh, Chanukah and Purim, along with special prayers and entreaties.
The siddur opens with a magnificent copperplate engraving crafted by an artist with three motifs alluding to the name of the publisher Rabbi Shlomo Yehuda Leon Timpelo.
This siddur was printed for Spanish congregations in Italy, descendants of the expelled Jews and anusim of Spain. The last page, printed in Spanish, notes the congregation’s prayer times.
Leaf 215 presents an evocative prayer written in memory of the souls of the Spanish Kedoshim burned at the stake in the notorious auto-da-fés in Spain. Hashem yikom damam.
Amsterdam, 1726.
Page Count: [1], 36, 41-243, [1] leaf.
Page Size: 16 cm.
Condition: Good; typical brown-tinged paper, mild stains, adhesives on the last page and opposite side of the title page.
Bibliography: William B. Gross Collection, Tel Aviv
This impressive copperplate illustration was handcrafted by a talented artist in honor of the distinguished Jewish publisher Rabbi Shlomo Yehuda Leon Timpelo whose name is alluded to in its three distinct motifs.
The top part of the illustration features a man, ox, eagle and lion that represent the legendary gold throne of Shlomo Hamelech and allude to his first name “Shlomo”.
The center of the illustration is shaped as a lion and features the Hebrew inscription “Gur Aryeh Yehuda”, an obvious reference to his name “Yehuda Leon”.
The bottom features a drawing of the Ark of the Covenant and cherubs, alluding to his surname Timpelo, which derives from the word “temple”.
The patriarch of the renowned Timpelo family, Rabbi Yaakov Yehuda Aryeh Leon Timpelo authored several compositions on the shape of the Beis Hamikdash and its holy vessels. A talented artist, he also fashioned a precise model of the Beis Hamikdash, and was thus monikered “Timpelo” by the sages of his generation. His children inherited the moniker which eventually evolved into their surname.
