Manuscript, Sefer Evronot. [Germany, 1615-1617].

Cursive Ashkenazic script, with illustrations, decorations and embellished tables (some with color).

The scribe of the manuscript incorporated his name into the table for calculating tekufot, on p. 53b: "I, Eliezer son of Binyamin HaKohen of Hünfeld" (near Fulda). Throughout the manuscript, the calculations mention the years 1615, 1616 and 1617 as the years of writing: "Now in 5377 [1617] we have gone through 282 cycles…" (p. 18a); "Now we are in the year 5377 [1617]…" (p. 19a); "Such as now in the year 5376 [1616]…" (p. 34a); "Such as now, when we are in the year 5376 [1616]…" (p. 40b); "Now in 5375 [1615] you wish to know how the calendar for 5376 will be fixed…" (p. 43a), and more. Some leaves have watermarks resembling those appearing on paper manufactured in Germany in the late 16th century.

Throughout the manuscript are incorporated illustrations, decorations and decorated initial words, in various colors. Apart from text and decorated tables which also appear in parallel manuscripts of the work (such as the illustration of a palm for calculating tekufot, an illustration of a table with a jar, and more), there also appear illustrations depicting the daily life of the period, with figures dressed in the fashion of the times (a figure holding scales in one hand and a sword in the other, with the sun and moon and a European city in the background – p. 17b; people drawing water from a well with a mechanical device – p. 47b; a figure dressed as a noble, girding a sword and holding a spear – p. 59b). On leaves 76-83 appear tables for calculating the Christian months and holidays, as well as illustrations of the zodiacs. The opening and closing of the Frankfurt trade fair is also mentioned (p. 77a).

Traditions from "R. Wolf of Moravia[?]" (p. 85a) and "R. Akiva of Frankfurt" (p. 89a) are mentioned [these two sections were copied from an earlier manuscript; R. Akiva of Frankfurt, who is mentioned with a blessing for the living, had already passed away in 1597].

In addition to the main text handwritten by the above scribe appear glosses and additions by other writers. On leaves 1-2 appear variations of the name "Avraham son of Binyamin HaKohen of Hünfeld", apparently the brother of the scribe of this manuscript.

On p. 20b, lengthy marginal gloss: "…For example, now in [1633]… the molad of Tishrei…"; on p. 47b, signed addition: "I wrote this from the Evronot of R. Elazar Trescher"; on p. 58b, signed addition: "I wrote this from the Evronot…"; on the Christian calendars (leaves 76-83) are added inscriptions detailing when the Hebrew calendar begins in 1635-1645; on p. 93b: "I studied from this Evronot… Elyakim son of Naftali HaLevi Segal"; and additional inscriptions.

Sefer Evronot is a work on the Hebrew calendar, intercalation, determination of dates of festivals, tekufot, Christian holidays and more. This work (edited by R. Eliezer son of Yaakov Blin) was first printed in Lublin, 1615, and later reprinted in other editions. The work was correspondingly copied in manuscripts in various adaptations and additions, with the calendars and examples updated to the current year.

[93] leaves. Approx. 19 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dark stains. Open tears to many leaves, affecting text and illustrations. All leaves professionally restored with paper. New leather binding.