Torah Binder (Italy)

1582/3

Rectangular cloth, folded in two places, with Hebrew text embroidered on bottom half of cloth and floral border on top half. — This Torah binder is one of the earliest examples from Italy. The binder (also known as a wimpel) was intended to accompany the male child through his lifetime, through the stages of his circumcision, bar mitzvah, and wedding. Unlike Ashkenazic Torah binders, which featured pictorial elements of scenes and symbols, those crafted by Sephardic Jews in Italy and Turkey were decorated with floral motifs, probably copied from printed pattern books, which started to appear in the fifteenth century. This Torah binder was embroidered by Honorata Foa, as attested to by an inscription: “In honor of the pure Torah, my hand raised an offering, I, Honorata . . . wife of . . . Samuel Foa . . . , *it is such a little one* (Genesis 19:20), the year 5343 (=1582/3).”

Credits

Gift of Dr. Harry G. Friedman / The Jewish Museum, New York.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 5.

Letter to His Bride

Most magnificent and honored bride, my lady I gaze upon you: Since I left Piacenza, I can honestly say that I am far away from my life. Oh, how can I live, and how can I hold up my limbs when I am so…

View Source

Print engraving of crowd of people outside of building gathered around couple under wedding canopy.

Ohale Ya‘akov (The Tents of Jacob): On a Betrothal

Question: The following incident occurred: The gentlemen, R. Abraham Vidal, may he rest in peace, was married to the modest lady, Estrella, sister of the fine young man, R. David Pinto, may God…

View Source

Marriage Ceremony

This illustration depicting a Jewish wedding taking place under a huppah (wedding canopy) near a synagogue appeared in the book Jüdisches Ceremoniel (Jewish Ceremonial Customs), by Paul Christian…

View Source

Set of curved doors with carving of candelabrum, peacock-shaped vessels, and basket of fruit and flowers on right side and table with compartments, peacock-shaped vessels, and basket of fruit and flowers on left side.

Old Responsa: On Marital Deception

She’elot u-teshuvot yeshanot

This 17th-century Hebrew responsum considers claims of misbehavior by a wife and underscores the importance of maintaining the sanctity of the relationship.

View Source

Print engraving of woman in veil flanked by two other women, standing before a stone building.

Jewish Bride in Fürth

This print depicting a veiled Jewish bride assisted by two other women is from the beginning of the eighteenth century, a period of prosperity for the city’s Jewish community. There were between 350…

View Source

Printed page with Latin text in the center, surrounded by two images, the top of people sitting in front of a teacher and board with Hebrew letters on it, and the bottom of men sitting around a baby.

Jüden Schul (Jewish Synagogue)

When the engagement of two parties occurs, many Jews are invited, young and old, and they gather in a big room and each of the young Jews has a new…

View Source

Engage with this Source

Details

Public Access

Image

Related Guide

Early Modern Rabbis and Intellectuals on the Move

1500–1750

Carrying books and knowledge, itinerant rabbis and scholars traveled between communities, facilitating cultural exchange.

Manuscript scroll page with Hebrew text and decorated border with illustrations of cherubs, faces, animals, ribbons, and flowers.

Related Guide

Early Modern Italy: Where East and West Meet

1500–1750

Ashkenazim, Sephardim, and Marranos encountered each other in Italian cities, developing community structures that later influenced Jewish communal organization throughout the western world.