Manuscript, prayers for those stricken by a plague, and Pitum HaKetoret for a plague. [Italy, 18th century].
Attractive pocket-format volume. The manuscript is divided into two parts, each part has an illustrated title page. An introduction appears before the first title page: "This book is divided into two parts, the first part with prayers for the ill… and the second part with Pitum HaKetoret… to be recited during the plague…".
Dedications appear after the first and second title pages, "For the Catalan and Aragonese Synagogue", donated by "The young R' Mordechai bar Matitya Lattes". The first part is dedicated "In memory of the elder… R' Shlomo Lattes, his grandfather…", and the second part is dedicated to "The holy G-dly man R' Elisha Gershon Shmuel Chaim Amron… 1743…". Following the dedication are two poems with the acrostic "Mordechai Lattes".
The first part contains: “Verses with prayers for the ill”, “Prayers for ill males”, “Mi SheBerach prayer”, “Prayer for changing names”, “Prayers for ill women”, “Prayers for the birthing woman” and “Prayers for a plague (Aba’abu’ot)”.
Contemporary binding, with gilt embossments. On the front cover – an Italian dedication within a decorated frame. On the back cover: a family Coat of Arms (apparently of the Italian Lattes family).
[4], 28, [3]; [1], 15, [3] leaves (including several empty leaves). Thick high-quality paper. 12.5 cm. Good condition, stains, traces of dampness. Gilt edges. Contemporary leather binding.