Detailed
Description |
|
Additional prayers to be said in the morning by the members of the Me'ire ha-Shahar Society (Awakeners of the Morning), originally arranged by R. Aaron Berechiah ben Moses of Modena. The title page has a decorative frame and the text begins with the verse, “Bless the L-rd, O house of Aaron!” (Psalms 135:19). The title page is dated, “for the L-rd is a God of knowledge דעות (480=1720)” (I Samuel 2:3), whereas the colophon is dated Friday, 13 Elul, with the verse, “You shall be perfect with the L-rd your G-d (September 5, 1721)” (Deuteronomy 18:13). There is a lengthy introduction הערה and verse, followed by the text, which is comprehensive, beginning with the prayers to be said on each day of the week, including Shabbat, Rosh Hodesh, festivals, for rain, and on other occasions.
R. Aaron Berechiah ben Moses of Modena was an Italian Kabbalist (d. 1639). He was a pupil of R. Hillel of Modena and of R. Menahem Azariah of Fano. At the request of the Hebrah Kaddisha at Mantua he wrote Ma'avar Yabbok. To avert possible criticism for failing to discuss the subject matter philosophically, he makes use of the statement of Isaac Arama in his Akedat Yizhak: "Reason must surrender some of its rights to the divine revelations which are superior to it." Other works written by him are: A commentary onTikkune ha-Zohar; Hibbur be-Kabbalah, a work on the Cabala, consisting of four volumes: (a) Shemen Mishht Kodesh (The Oil of Holy Anointment), on the principles of the Kabbala according to R. Moses Cordovero and R. Isaac Luria; (b) Shemen Zait Zak (The Pure Oil of the Olive), public addresses on the same subject; (c) Shetil Poreah (The Blossoming Plant), on the mysterious meaning of prayers and ceremonies; (d) Imre Shefer (Words of Beauty), and miscellaneous matter; this whole work was seen in manuscript by Azulai at Modena, and is found in parts in some libraries; Magen Aharon (Shield of Aaron), containing a compendium of R. Luria's works. This fertile writer is said to have been, like R. Joseph Caro, in constant communion with a spirit called the Maggid. |
