[Illustrated commentary on the Pentateuch with Prayer-book, for women].
Amsterdam, Herz Levi and Kashman, 1766
The women's bible. 'The Women's Bible' with woodcut illustrations.
'Tze'enah Ure'enah', often called The Women's Bible, is a didactic prose work written in Yiddish from the 1590s, whose structure parallels the weekly Torah portions of the Pentateuch and 'Haftarot' which are read in the weekly synagogue services. The work mixes Biblical passages with teachings from the Oral Torah, such as the Talmud's 'Aggadot' and 'Midrashim' (allegories, tales, commentary and interpretations of the Torah), as well as some prayers.
The name of the book derives from a verse of the Song of Songs that begins: Tz'ēnhā ur'enhā b'not Tziyyon ('Go forth and see, O ye daughters of Zion', Song 3:11). The nature of the source of the name indicates that the book was intended for women, who at the time would have been less versed in the Hebrew language and less educated than men.
The author, Rabbi Jacob ben Isaac Ashkenazi (1550-1624) was born near Lublin, Poland. He would tour the neighbouring communities and to publicly read the weekly Torah portions (Parashat HaShavua). He had written a few works on the Halakhah and the interpretations of the scriptures, but 'Tze'enah Ure'enah' remains his most famous work.
8vo (19 x 11.5 cm), 20th-century contemporary-style calf, spine gilt in compartments with morocco label; text in Hebrew and Yiddish in Wayber-Taytsch lettering; woodcut illustrations in the text. [2], 510 ll.
Vinograd, Amsterdam 1905.
'Tze'enah Ure'enah', often called The Women's Bible, is a didactic prose work written in Yiddish from the 1590s, whose structure parallels the weekly Torah portions of the Pentateuch and 'Haftarot' which are read in the weekly synagogue services. The work mixes Biblical passages with teachings from the Oral Torah, such as the Talmud's 'Aggadot' and 'Midrashim' (allegories, tales, commentary and interpretations of the Torah), as well as some prayers.
The name of the book derives from a verse of the Song of Songs that begins: Tz'ēnhā ur'enhā b'not Tziyyon ('Go forth and see, O ye daughters of Zion', Song 3:11). The nature of the source of the name indicates that the book was intended for women, who at the time would have been less versed in the Hebrew language and less educated than men.
The author, Rabbi Jacob ben Isaac Ashkenazi (1550-1624) was born near Lublin, Poland. He would tour the neighbouring communities and to publicly read the weekly Torah portions (Parashat HaShavua). He had written a few works on the Halakhah and the interpretations of the scriptures, but 'Tze'enah Ure'enah' remains his most famous work.
8vo (19 x 11.5 cm), 20th-century contemporary-style calf, spine gilt in compartments with morocco label; text in Hebrew and Yiddish in Wayber-Taytsch lettering; woodcut illustrations in the text. [2], 510 ll.
Vinograd, Amsterdam 1905.
About us
Shapero Rare Books is an internationally renowned dealer in antiquarian & rare books and works on paper.
Our Bookshop and Gallery can be found in the heart of Mayfair at 106 New Bond Street, where most of our stock is available to view and on public display.
We exhibit at major international art fairs, including TEFAF (Maastricht and New York), Frieze Masters, Art Miami and Masterpiece London, as well as antiquarian & rare book fairs including New York, Paris, London, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hong Kong.
