1 item ([1] leaf) ; 50 x 38 cm.

Hebrew

In Hebrew.

Purchased from Vinograd and Rosenfeld on the Alexander Kohut Memorial Fund, 2003.

Manuscript, ink, gilt and paint on paper. The document is divided into five registers. The upper register contains the traditional element: Psalm 16:8, "I have set (shiviti) the Lord always before me". Below this statement are five semi-circles, which contain kabbalistic statements. The second register contains three circles: one contains the biblical priestly blessing, the second contains a menorah and Psalm 67, and the third contains Psalm 121:4, which states that the Guardian of Israel does not sleep. The third register contains five semi-circles in which are written the names of Eliyahu ha-Navi, Rabi Shimʻon bar Yoḥai, Rabi Meʼir Baʻal ha-Nes, and Rabi Shalom Azaṿi. The middle semi-circle forms the base of the menorah. Below the semi-circles are four diamond shapes, which contain, and are enclosed by kabbalistic statements and blessings. The lowest register contains three circles, which also contain kabbalistic statements and blessings. The entire document is decorated with gilt leaves, much of which is quite faded. Much of the other decoration and the text is also quite faded. This document apparently served as both a shiviti plaque and as an amulet.

Archives or Manuscripts / Images

January 10, 2011

Shiviti plaque, Hebrew MSS suppl 78.6. General Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.

Shiviti plaque, Hebrew MSS suppl 78.6. General Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.