Illustrated Parchment Manuscript – Seder Brit Milah and Pidyon HaBen – Mohel Book (Pinkas Milah) – London, 1840

Illustrated parchment manuscript, Seder Brit Milah and Pidyon HaBen – Mohel Book (Pinkas Milah). London, 1840. Ink and paint on parchment. Illustrated architectural title page. At the bottom is a medallion with a monogram of the initials M. S. [Samuel Moses]; made of micrographic art with inscription: “This notebook was made by Aharon son of Y. Leib of Lissa scribe and dayan in London in honor of R’ Eliezer son of R’ Ya’akov of London in 1840”. The manuscript contains: Seder Brit Milah, blessings and prayers, at the beginning is a section of the Zohar; Birkat HaMazon, with additions for a Brit Milah; Seder Pidyon HaBen. Vowelized square writing, with instructions and laws in small unvowelized letters. Enlarged titles and opening letters painted with golden ink. Illustrated ornaments in several places. At the beginning and end of the manuscript are several empty leaves to be used for recording circumcisions but actually no inscriptions of any circumcisions were entered [written on some leaves are names of males, in alphabetical order, with Yiddish appellations]. Original leather binding, with gilt adornments and embossment of owner’s name: S. Moses. On the verso of the binding is an ex-libris of Samuel Moses. This manuscript belonged to Samuel Moses (1807-1873), born in England, and worked there as a mohel. He moved to Tasmania (an island opposite the shores of South-East Australia), and was appointed a Justice of the peace and became one of the most prominent Jews there. Simultaneously, he continued his work as a mohel and was active in reinforcing Judaism in other communities of Australian colonies. See enclosed material. Added to the last leaf is another manuscript of Shir HaMa’a lot Beshuv…, and the Mi SheBerach prayer for those who pledge charity after a circumcision. [21] leaves, [9] empty parchment leaves. 14 cm. Good condition. Stains. Wine stains to several leaves. Several loose leaves. Contemporary binding.