Illustrated Manuscript – Minchat Erev Rosh Chodesh, with Songs and Refrains for Festivals, and the Story of the ...

Illustrated Manuscript – Minchat Erev Rosh Chodesh, with Songs and Refrains for Festivals, and the Story of the Salvation of the Community from Siege – "Purim Della Bomba" – Cuneo, 1819
Manuscript, Seder Minchat Erev Rosh Chodesh, Selichot, songs and refrains, with "Poems upon the anniversary of the Talmud Torah Society and the salvation from siege with the tale of the entire event". Written by Refael Chizkiya Lattes. Cuneo (Italy), 1819.
Illustrated manuscript on bluish paper, with original binding. An illustrated title page, with the name of the writer and year on the margins, appears at the beginning of the manuscript. Throughout the manuscript, the openings and closings are embellished with flowers, plants and vases, some with red ink (with yellow ink in one place). The word le'Sukkot in the piyyut for Sukkot is framed by branches of the arba minim (Four Species).
The manuscript begins with the text: "Seder Minchat Erev Rosh Chodesh" [Yom Kippur Katan], with piyyutim according to Italian tradition (by Rabbi Moshe Zakut), including the vidui "I ate forbidden foods and foods that require netilah", called Vidui Peimiti (i.e. written by Rabbi Yosef Peimita of Ancona, author of Or Boker, Venice 1709).
On Leaves [19b-25a] are refrains for festivals to be recited after removing the Torah from the ark during Shacharit “according to the Cuneo tradition”. Including piyyutim for Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot, Hoshana Raba and Shmini Atzeret.
On Leaves [26a-29b] is a “Poem for the anniversary of the Talmud Torah fixed on Rosh Chodesh Tevet each year” – poem of 13 stanzas, for the society’s anniversary. The poem has a flowery introduction about the society and its objectives. R’ Refael Chizkiya Lattes is mentioned in the introduction.
From Leaf [30a] onwards, a unique historical documentation of the salvation of the Cuneo community during the Napoleon wars, is recounted. This occasion, referred to as Purim Sheni, is celebrated each year and is called Purim della Bomba, commemorating a miracle which occurred during the war, when a bomb fell on the synagogue where Jews congregated for the evening prayers. First are two pages with “The account of the miracle which occurred on the 4th of Kislev after three months of siege, no one could leave or enter…”; Beit HaSedarim follows with a long description of the itinerary of the activities in the synagogue on the anniversary of the day of salvation. This itinerary includes reciting Hallel and piyyutim, removing Sifrei Torah from the ark and hakafot (circling the bimah), etc. At the end of this section is an illustration of a besieged city, shooting cannons and flying shells.
This is followed by a long poem about the miracle, depicting the German army's operation and the siege of France, followed by the occupation of the Piedmont district and the siege of Cuneo, and another poem describing the event.
The Jewish communities in the Piedmont district of Italy, which encompasses the Cuneo community, are rooted in the renowned communities of Provence (Southern France). The Jews emigrated from Provence following living limitations by the Pope in 1569. The Jews of the Piedmont district suffered greatly from wars and many restrictions inflicted on them by various European armies passing through Italy due to the proximity of their area to several borders and international intersections.
The event documented in this manuscript took place in 1799, when a small division of Napoleon's army took position inside the city and attempted to defend itself from the Russian and Austrian forces who besieged the city. The battle continued for about three months during which the city's Jews were exposed to bombing, deprivation and illness and faced violence and acts of revenge from local residents. On the 4th of Kislev 1800, a short time after a heavy barrage of ammunition, the French army retreated and the city was conquered by Austrian and Russian forces. During the bombings, a cannonball hit the synagogue wall at the time Jews were praying within, but, miraculously, no-one was hurt. To commemorate this event, the community celebrated Purim Sheni each year for over one hundred years (until the holocaust). Among other customs, the full Hallel and piyyutim were recited and a study ritual was fixed for that night, as well as distribution of charity and a festive meal. Even today, the hole torn into the wall of the Cuneo synagogue can be seen, next to a sign that reads “The miracle which occurred here.
[37] leaves (many more empty leaves). 19 cm. Good condition, stains. Original green leather binding, with gilt embossments, and the owner's initials "S.L." [of the Lattes family]. Damages and wear to binding.