Abudarham [commentary to and laws of prayers]

ABUDARHAM, DAVID

Giorgio di Cavalli

Venice

1566

Cherubic illustration as masthead on title and ff.2-3. Printer's mark on title (Yaari, Hebrew Printers' Marks 34)

Vinograd, Venice 512

David ben Joseph Abudarham of Seville wrote his liturgical commentary in 1340. He was motivated to write the work in response to contemporary liturgical confusion: "The lengthy exile and intensive persecution have led to a variety of customs in different kingdoms so that most ordinary folk, when they offer their prayers to God, are almost clueless as to their meaning and with no understanding of the sense and structure of liturgical practices.” Abudarham’s work accordingly not only provides clear rules, but devotes much space to the reasons behind many customs, as well as commenting on the text of the prayers and the more important piyutim. The work offers commentary to all daily, Sabbath, monthly, Festival and fast-day prayers, as well as providing guidance on lectionaries, the calendar and an extensive treatise upon the various benedictions. The work comprises an invaluable encyclopaedia concerning the ritual customs of Spain, France, Provence and Germany. See S.C. Reif, Judaism and Hebrew Prayer (1993), pp. 204-5.