Special Handwritten Prayers – Jerusalem, 1843

Special Handwritten Prayers – Jerusalem, 1843
A handwritten leaf, written on both its sides, most likely by several writers. Jerusalem, 1853. Italian script.
On the first leaf, two handwritten prayers, the first long and very interesting. It was written "On the eve of the day after Rosh Ha'Shana of 1853" and it contains a description of the difficult situation of the Jew who wrote it, which was also the situation of many other Jews of Jerusalem in those days. The prayer contains verses and Talmudic expressions. Th eprayer indicates that the Jew had recovered from a severe illness yet the situation of his family is most difficult. He implores: "I ask not for my sake but for the honor of Your name …"
We do not know the writer's identity. We do know that he had most likely immigrated from Italy (as indicated by the script) and that he was a Levi, as he notes in his prayer.
On the lower part of the leaf, an additional prayer in different script. on the next page, prayers and a Piyyut most likely by the same writer. The Piyyut begins with the words: "I am from the tribe of Levi …" The prayer ends with the words: "Listen to the voice of the son of Levi for life and peace".
(A transcription of the leaf will be available upon request).
Condition: Good.