The Very First Rödelheim Siddur

First edition of the most popular siddur in Germany and Western ...

The Very First Rödelheim Siddur

First edition of the most popular siddur in Germany and Western Europe!

Siddur Safa Brurah. First Edition. Edited by Rabbi Wolf Heidenheim. Rödelheim, 1806

Year-round siddur with laws, customs and commentary: “Masterfully arranged, to be the most precise and accurate siddur from the pen of R’ Wolf ben Rabbi Shimshon of Heidenheim.”

Siddurim edited by Rabbi Wolf Heidenheim were widely-acclaimed by Gedolei Yisrael for their precision and accuracy and were printed in quantities unparalleled throughout the ages. Since 1806, there have been over 200 (!) editions of both of Heidenheim’s Siddurim, the present Safa Berura Siddur and the Sfas Emes Siddur, making it incontestably the siddur with the greatest impact on the nusach of Ashkenazic siddurim printed thereafter.

Due to their popularity and daily usage this first-edition siddur is exceedingly rare. 

Nusach Ashkenaz

Siddurim in Ashkenazic rite are divided into two main versions:

Western Europe – Compiled by the early Rishonim of Ashkenaz, most notably the Maharil, and used by all western and southern congregations in Germany and neighboring countries, this nusach is known as "Nusach Bnei Rheinus" (nusach of residents of the Rhine).

Eastern Europe – The nusach adopted by Ashkenazic Jews who wandered eastward toward Poland is known as "Nusach Bnei Ostreich" (nusach of residents of Austria). This nusach of tefillah first appeared in the writings of Rabbi Eizik of Tirnau, and was upheld by both the Maharshal and Rema, later spreading to all Poland and Lithuanian congregations, among others.

Rabbi Wolf Heidenheim’s siddur primarily follows the Western European Ashkenazic nusach, nevertheless he notes the variations of the Eastern European nusach.

The first 8 sides of the present Siddur Safa Brurah present a lengthy foreword by Heidenheim in Yiddish.

Rödelheim, 1806. First Edition. Page Count: [8], 188 leaves. Page Size: 16 cm. Condition: Used, with multiple stains attesting to the extensive use of this siddur (most noticeably in the weekday prayers section). The margins of approximately 15 leaves are mildly shaved, yet professionally restored with virtually all text intact. The title page has minute margin restoration. The flyleaves feature handwritten prayers.

 Siddur bound in ornate new leather binding with attractive leather-bound case.

Bibliography: Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod (New Edition, 2024) #400; Appendix of Shaarei Tefillah p. 256, 260 #12

Provenance: Kestenbaum Auction #94

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