Parchment manuscript, Tikun Ezra, order of Torah readings and prayers for "the high synagogue of Casani" in the Candia community. Candia (Heraklion, Crete), 1636.
Byzantine semi-cursive and square script.
At the beginning of the manuscript: "Tikun Ezra, may G-d provide help (ezrah) in trouble". At the end, colophon of scribe: "This Tikun Ezra with all its contents from beginning to end was written by myself, the least of the teachers, Shlomo Nachum son of R. Shabtai at the request of my groomsman… R. Moshe Casani son of the leading physician R. Shmuel for his synagogue, namely the high synagogue of Casani. It was completed on 8th Elul 1636, here in Candia".
The manuscript contains a detailed order of readings and breaks for the Torah reading for weekdays, Shabbat and festivals. The order for Shemini Atzeret contains a detailed listing of customs, verses and piyyutim for Simchat Torah. After the reading for Shavuot appears a formula for announcing the month of Av.
After the Torah readings appear Mi SheBerach prayers, including a version in Greek; Yekum Purkan and Av HaRachamim; followed by Yizkor prayers for central figures in the Candia community, rabbis and donors.
Most of the individuals mentioned in the Yizkor prayers are members of the Casani family, an important family in Candia which produced generations of Torah scholars; the synagogue for which this manuscript was written was founded by them and named after them. The individuals mentioned include: R. Shabtai Casani and his brother R. Malkiel "who prepared this synagogue for prayer"; R. Moshe Casani; R. Zerachiah Casani son of R. Malkiel Casani "who disseminated Torah in all the communities of the island of Candia and in the Egyptian communities"; R. Malkiel Casani son of R. Moshe; R. Yehudah Casani son of R. Zerachiah; "the comprehensive scholar… R. Shmuel Casani, leading physician"; and more. The names are cited along with accolades and descriptions of their work. An extensive description details the "leading physician" R. Shmuel Casani's important deeds of charity and healing, including his donations to "the heads of yeshivas in Eretz Israel" in Hebron, Safed and Jerusalem, and his donations to two synagogues in Candia: the "high synagogue of Casani" and the "synagogue of kohanim". His brother R. Malkiel and his widow Panorea are also mentioned, the latter for having donated silver lanterns and cloths for holy objects for "each of the four synagogues of our community". There are also mentions of the widow of R. Machir Mashriti, a rabbi in Candia whose rulings are cited in Knesset HaGedolah.
Most of the individuals are mentioned in Takanot Kandia VeZichronoteha, ed. E.S. Hartom and M.D.U. Cassuto, Jerusalem 1943.
[74] parchment leaves. Approx. 14 cm. Good condition. Stains. New leather binding.
