Perek Shirah

Perek Shirah – Facsimile Editions Ltd. – MS. Or. 54 (OR. 12,983) – British Library (London, United Kingdom)

Probably Vienna (Austria) β€” 18th century

Biblical and Rabbinic canticles from the 10th century in honor of God: the ancient Hebrew Song of the Universe in a beautifully illuminated 18th century manuscript

  1. Contains biblical and rabbinical hymns from the 10th century in honor of God

  2. The manuscript is a work by the famous Viennese scribe Aaron Wolf Herlingen von Gewitsch

  3. The text is furnished with wonderful miniatures, which are distinguished by their magnificent landscapes

Perek Shirah

Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€
(1,000€ - 3,000€)
  1. Description
  2. Detail Picture
  3. Single Page
  4. Facsimile Editions (1)
Description
Perek Shirah

The Hebrew song of the universe from the 10th century in a wonderful manuscript from the 18th century: this Perek Shirah is stored as a gem of Jewish culture in the British Library in London. The manuscript is a work by the famous Viennese scribe Aaron Wolf Herlingen from Gewitsch. This master made a magnificent edition of the Hebraic praise of God’s creation, in which the elements and all the parts of the divine creation praise God’s work!

Perek Shirah

The Hebrew song of the universe from the 10th century in a wonderful manuscript from the 18th century: this Perek Shirah is stored as a gem of Jewish culture in the British Library in London. The manuscript is a work by the famous Viennese scribe Aaron Wolf Herlingen from Gewitsch. This master made a magnificent edition of the Hebraic praise of God’s creation, in which the elements and all the parts of the divine creation praise God’s work!

A Hebraic Hymn to Creation

Perek Shirah is also known as The Song of the Universe. The text, a 10th century work, is compiled from bible verses. In it, the elements, wind, water, animals, and all parts of the divine creation themselves get a chance to speak and praise God’s work. A Hebraic hymn to creation! Amazement for the spirituality of nature finds expression in the Perek Shirah. The faithful can comprehend the power of god in the beauty of nature.

A Viennese Manuscript of the 18th century

The manuscript MS. Or. 54 (OR. 12,983) of the British Library in London is a Jewish jewel from Vienna. The manuscript is comprised of 38 pages measuring 13 x 8 cm. A work by the scribe Aaron Wolf Herlingen from Gewitsch arose in the 18th century. He was also appointed as a court painter and is known above all for his Hebrew works.

Wonderful Landscapes and Natural Observation

The Perek Shirah manuscript in London curiously presents a 10th century literary-religious work in an 18th century manuscript. In this way, the art of illumination was able to come to life once more. The manuscript is furnished with wonderful miniatures, which present magnificent landscapes above all, in which the splendor of the divine creation is wonderfully visualized as befitting the text!

Codicology

Alternative Titles
The Song of the Universe
Das Lied des Universums
Size / Format
34 pages / 13.0 Γ— 8.0 cm
Origin
Austria
Date
18th century
Style
Language
Content
The Hebrew song of the universe
Artist / School

Available facsimile editions:
Perek Shirah – Facsimile Editions Ltd. – MS. Or. 54 (OR. 12,983) – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Facsimile Editions Ltd. – London, 1996
Limited Edition: 550 copies
Detail Picture

Perek Shirah

The Song of Domesticated and Wild Birds

Songs in praise of creation continue here but now turn to God’s winged creatures both domesticated (grouped in the lower left corner) and wild. Each bird is given a voice in the song reflecting their individual characteristics, e.g. the hen says, β€œHe gives bread to all flesh for his lovingkindness endures in the cosmos”, the crane says, β€œGive thanks to YHVH with the lyre, make music for him with the ten-stringed harp”, and the laughing dove β€œComfort My people, comfort them, says your elo’ah”.

Perek Shirah – Facsimile Editions Ltd. – MS. Or. 54 (OR. 12,983) – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Single Page

Perek Shirah

The Song of Domesticated and Wild Animals

All the elements of creation worthy of praise are catalogued in this β€œSong of the Universe”, which was part of the daily liturgy in the Middle Ages and Early Modern Period, and here we see various animals that are indigenous to the Holy Land. Domesticated animals like goats, sheep, and the dogs used herd them are on the left side with wild animals on the right.

This woodcut features a lovely and naturalistic color palette, even the distant mountains are depicted masked by a realistic haze. In the chapter, each animal declares their praise of God and their statements reflect their character, e.g. the Lion says: β€œYHVH shall go out as a mighty man, he shall arouse zeal; He shall say, even roar, he shall prevail over his enemies.”

Perek Shirah – Facsimile Editions Ltd. – MS. Or. 54 (OR. 12,983) – British Library (London, United Kingdom)
Facsimile Editions

#1 Perek Shirah

Facsimile Editions Ltd. – London, 1996

Publisher: Facsimile Editions Ltd. – London, 1996
Limited Edition: 550 copies
Binding: Aged vellum, tooled front and back covers. Facsimile and commentary volume are protected by a hand-marbled slipcase.
Commentary: 1 volume (56 pages) by Malachi Beit-AriΓ©, Emile Schrijver, Jeremy Schonfield, and Gideon Falter
Language: English
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€
(1,000€ - 3,000€)
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