Shivithi Ha’shem Lenegdi Tamid [talisman for general healing].

ALNAKAR, ABRAHAM BEN JOSEPH.

n.p.

Livorno

1793

Printed on vellum. Central Temple Candelabra with steps, oil-jug and other vessles on facing page. Text on stem and branches in Manuscript, Hebrew square script.

Vinograd, Livorno 353. Noting a single copy in the JNUL, on paper only

A Sephardic liturgical scholar who settled in Livorno, Alnakar turned his hand to the publication of prayer books with his own Kabbalisticly-inspired commentary, Zechor Le’avraham. He became friendly with CHAIM JOSEPH DAVID AZULAI (the CHYD”A), with whom he exchanged glosses to the festival prayers. (See: EJ, II col.672). In the present talisman Alnakar records the hypothesis of the CHYD”A, concerning the great spiritual significance attached to the daily recitation of Psalm LXVII. For the Psalm contains seven sets of 49 letters (the number of days in a year) thus whomever recites it daily (particularly during the season of Counting the Omer), will meet no harm throughout the year. Moreover, the Psalm itself is not printed here, but presented in manuscript, in the iconographic format of the Temple Menorah, this adds to the efficacy of the prayer. For another copy sold at auction see Perry’s, Tel Aviv, 22nd January 1986, Lot 205.