Seder Hayom by Rabbi Machir. Venice, [1599]. First Edition in the Author's Lifetime.

Seder Hayom by Rabbi Machir. Venice, [1599]. First Edition in the Author's Lifetime.

The First Source of the Modeh Ani Prayer.

Sefer Seder Hayom, Dinim and Hanhagot based on man's daily schedule on the days of the week, Sabbath and Moadim, with a commentary on the prayers, by the Gaon the Mekubal Rabbi Moshe ben Machir of Safed. On the title page of the book, he is referred to as "איש האלקים החכם השלם החסיד כמהר"ר משה ן' מכיר נר"ו ריש מתיבת'[א] בעין זיתון מצפת".

Printed at the end of the book is a commentary on the Mishnah of "בן חמש שנים למקרא" and an elucidation on Sefer Kohelet.

The work, like its title, deals with Hanhagot of the daily schedule, since waking up to lying down, for all days of the year including Sabbath and the Jewish festivals.

Some of the Hanhagot are based on the Kabbalah. The work was accepted by all Jewish communities around the world and is considered an authority on versions, Dinim and customs.

This book is the source of varied customs. Among others, it is the first work to refer to the version of the Modeh Ani prayer which is said every morning.

A promise for success, longevity and children!

In his introduction, the author promises success, longevity and offspring to anyone who follows the customs of the book: "...ומובטח אני בנוהג סדר זה ולא ימוש ממנו, שיהיה אהוב לשמים ולבריות, ויהיה מוצלח בכל מעשיו ומושכל בכל דרכיו ויאריך ימים על האדמה, ויראה בנים ובני בנים וחפצי שמים בידיו יוצלחו...".

The author Rabbi Moshe ibn Machir: one of the leading Geonim of Safed in the generation of the Aru's disciples and the Beit Yosef. Served as Rosh Yeshiva in Kfar Ein Zitun near Safed. This yeshiva is known from other sources as the Hesger (quarantine) (a name implying the aim of the Beit Midrash, to enable students to study Torah Bikedusha and Prishut far away from the noise of the city). Rabbi Yosef of Trani (eventually, the Rav of Kushta, author of Shut Maharit)studied in this yeshiva, which was located in Ein Zitun until ca. 1600 and then moved to Safed for fear of regional highwaymen, as recalled by Rabbi Yehuda Aryeh of Modena (Otzar Yehudei Sepharad, V, Jerusalem 1966, pp. 109-11): "...הישיבה ומדרש הקדוש אשר היה בעין זיתון תחת הנהגת החסיד כמהר"ר ן' [מכיר] יזיי"א... ועתה ידוע תדעו כי עם היות כי נעתק אהל ה' המדרש הנז' מן הכפר ההוא מפני אורחת ישמעאלים שודדים אשר סבום גם סבבום ויברחו לנפשם, בכל זאת הנם בארץ צפת תוב"ב בני הישיבה ההיא וגם מלכם בראשם החסיד הנ"ל... ולא פסיק גרסא מפומייהו כמאז, ועדיין בקדושתם הם עומדים...".

Lengthy foreign notation on the last page.

Venice, [1599]. Daniel Zenati. First edition in the author's lifetime.

120 leaves. 19.5 cm. Very good condition. Some stains. A small tear to leaf 3. Small moth burrow near the spine of the book in the 15 first leaves. Quality paper. New binding.

The book Seder Hayom was accepted as a guide for Avodat Hatfillah and Avodat Hashem and was favored by leading Chassidic rabbis and Mekubalim.