Restoration work has recently been completed on the first volume of the handwritten “Mahzor of Worms,” the High Holy Days prayerbook from Worms, Germany, which is now located at the Hebrew University’s Jewish National Library.
The Mahzor of Worms, one of the oldest known Ashkenazic High Holy Days prayer books in existence, is considered one of the most important, rare and beautiful Mahzorim of Ashkenazic Jewry. It was written in its entirety during the Middle Ages and was saved from destruction by the Nazis on Kristallnacht, November 9, 1938.
Over the centuries its binding deteriorated and its pages were loosened. In addition, the margins of the pages were worn and some of the pictures were damaged. It was decided to restore the book.
The work of restoration was given to Raphael Pode, of the restoration and preservation laboratory of the Hebrew University’s library. Last October, 10 decorative pages that particularly needed professional attention were sent to be restored in Vienna in care of Prof. Otto Waechter, director of the restoration department of the National Library there.
The work, partly financed by Jewish philanthropist Max Berger, was completed a few weeks ago and the restored pages were returned to Jerusalem where the Mahzor is now being diligently bound.
The Mahzor is considered an important source for the study of Jewish art, liturgy, the vocalization and pronunciation of the Hebrew language in medieval Germany, and also for the study of ancient writing and the study of the technology of handwritten books.
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