Imrei Noam, collection of prayers, poems and songs, from various periods and authors, edited by R. Yosef Gallego. Amsterdam: Menashe son of Yosef Ben Israel, 1628. First edition.

On title page: "Order of poems and songs, prayers and techinot…".

Includes bakashot for weekdays, bakashot and songs for Shabbat and Motzaei Shabbat, bakashot for Rosh Chodesh, Chanukah, Taanit Esther and Purim; songs for Pesach and Shavuot; Selichot and Tochachot for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur; songs for Sukkot and Simchat Torah; weddings; songs for circumcision of boy and Zeved HaBat ceremony for girl; Metzalin prayer for sickness and for birthing mother; prayers for trouble or fear from gentiles; prayer for rain; prayer for plague; and many other prayers.

On verso of title page appears a request by the printer, Menasseh Ben Israel, for his book not to be reprinted for the next ten years, due to the expenses invested.

The songs sometimes have their author named, and often indicate the name of the tune. Several were authored by the editor, R. Yosef Gallego. Some poems and songs in the present book have never been reprinted in any other source, thus this book is regarded as a valuable source for the religious culture and poetry of Sephardic Jews of the time (of particular note is the lamentation for those killed in Salonika, which the editor printed, along with other lamentations, in a small font, expressly in order to conceal them).

Little is known of the editor, R. Yosef Gallego. His surname evidently points to an origin in Galicia, Spain. Gallego was evidently raised (but not born) in Salonika, studying in its famous yeshivas. He may have acquired his knowledge of poetry from the cantors of Salonika. In 1615 he immigrated to Amsterdam, joining the old Beit Yaakov community. In 1616 he was appointed cantor of the new Beit Yaakov community, apparently serving alongside R. David Pardo, a position he held for about fourteen years. In 1624, the tragic loss of his young son Yaakov disturbed him greatly, as also expressed in the present book, in the lamentations he authored for the loss of a son. After the book was printed, Gallego immigrated to Eretz Israel, where he passed away.

The book was proofread by R. Shaul Mortera, Rabbi of the Beit Yaakov community in Amsterdam, and a close friend of R. Yosef Gallego.

On p. 166a, concluding words by the editor, apologizing in advance for printing errors, due to being printed in a new printing press and the workers not being alacritous.

Colophon on last leaf, dated Thursday, 2nd Av (apparently in error; 2nd Av that year was a Tuesday).

On p. 27a, the piyyut Hashem Elohei HaElohim mentions the number of years since the destruction of the Temple – 1558 (in the year 1628). A marginal gloss adds that in 1665 the number is 1597.

166 leaves. 13.5 cm. Most leaves in good-fair condition, first leaves in fair condition. Stains. Wear, mainly to first leaves. Marginal open tears to title page and several other leaves, affecting title frame and slightly affecting text, partially repaired with paper. Fine new leather binding.

For further information on the editor and for a full listing and study of the songs and tunes, see: E. Seroussy, R. Yosef Shalom Gallego Author of Imrei Noam – Salonikan Cantor in Amsterdam at Beginning of 17th Century, Asufot, VI, Jerusalem 1992, pp. 87-150 (Hebrew).

Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.

Alfei Menashe, 1927, no. 5.

Rare.