Miniature manuscript – Seder Sefirat Ha’omer. Italy, 1845.

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Miniature manuscript – Seder Sefirat Ha’omer. Italy, 1845.

Manuscript “ Sefer Sefirot Ha’omer, ” written by Rosa of Modena in 1845.

The entire manuscript was written by a woman, copyist Rosa of Modena, Italy.

It was very uncommon and rare for educated, smart woman to work as copyists.

Researcher and bibliographer A.M. Habermann researched the subject in his article “Nashim Ma’atikot.” His list includes only 23 female copyists (first printed in Kiryat Sefer, 13 and then printed in his Perakim B’Tolodot HaMadpisim HaIvri’im, p. 351-359). At the beginning of his list, Habermann writes: “The name “sofrot” for a female copyist is uncommon in our literature and it’s clear that only exceptional women were active in this field.”

Prominent female copyists included פולה בת ר' אברהם of Rome, from the family of the author of the Ha’aruch and Rebbetzin Sarah, the daughter of Rabbi Dovid Oppenheim who wrote a Megillat Esther on parchment. We can now add another female copyist to the list, Rose of Modena, who made this manuscript.

It is clear that the copyist attempted to create nice calligraphy with slightly curvy letters.

The nusach in the manuscript follows the Machzor Roma, with the word “La’omer” placed after “hayom, ” per the text of the Shibolei Haleket and Tanya Rabbati.[2] 49 pages. 8.5 cm.

One page for each day, 49 pages, nice, square print with vowels.

Italy, apparently Modena [1845].

[2] 49 pages. 8.5 cm.

Thick, quality paper, with scored lines for writing.

Nice, original binding with matching slipcase.