Sephardic Journeys: Sefer Chesed L’Avraham

The rare books and artifacts in this exhibit, Sephardic Journeys, reflect a rich tradition of scholarship and culture shaped by migrations, and they invite, in turn, reflection upon the physical, emotional and spiritual journeys of Jewish history. 

Item above:
Sefer Chesed L’Avraham (ספר חסד לאברהם)
Avraham ben R. Shalom Tubiana
Ṿalansi (Izmir, 1764)
Hebrew

A truly Sephardic item, the first imprint of this siddur (prayer book) was published in Izmir, Turkey, and possesses a distinctively beautiful title page not found in later editions. In addition to presenting prayers for everyday, Shabbat and holidays, the text describes spiritual practices, all extensively rooted in Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism). 

Gift of Gabriela Ryan in memory of her father, Professor Tomás L. Ryan

Sephardic Journeys is on view through June 2015 in The David Berg Rare Book Room. Sephardic Journeys has been supported by a generous grant from The David Berg Foundation and was created by the Center for Jewish History with American Sephardi Federation. 

To see other artifacts from Sephardic Journeys click here: http://16thstreet.tumblr.com/tagged/Sephardic-Journeys 

Sephardic Journeys is free and open to the public through June 30th. 

For more information click here: http://cjh.org/p/42