Ashkenazi Jewish Holiday Rituals
Author: Leusden, Johannes, 1624-1699.
Image Title: Ashkenazi Jewish Holiday Rituals
Description: Each of the four registers depicts an Ashkenazi Jewish holiday ritual. The top left panel is labeled TUGURIOLA, also translated SUKKAH, a temporary shelter covered in natural materials near a synagogue or house. Meals are conducted in these shelters during SUKKOT or SUCCOTH, the Feast of Booths, also translated “Feast of Tabernacles” or “Feast of the Ingathering” which is celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei (late September to late October). The top right register is labeled TONSIO JUDAICA, literally “A Jewish Shaving,” depicting a man receiving a haircut during Lag BaOmer. While Ashkenazim were permitted to cut their hair on the morning of Lag BaOmer, Sephardim were not permitted to do so until the morning of the 34th of the Omer. The bottom left illustration depicts the custom of throwing small sweet cakes to children on SIMHAT TORAH, also known as SIMCHAT TORAH or SIMCHAS TORAH, which literally translates to “Rejoicing of [or with the] Torah.” The festival celebrates the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings immediately following SUKKOT, and the caption accordingly reads FESTUM LAETITIAE LEGIS, “The Time of Joy.” The bottom right illustration shows several Jewish men holding palm branches and gesturing towards the moon, depicting the Kiddush Levana, or “Sanctification of the Moon” ceremony. During the ritual, a series of prayers are recited outside to bless the new moon at the beginning of each Hebrew month, ROSH CHODESH. This ceremony typically occurs at the conclusion of SHABBAT after the Saturday evening services, and the caption reads VIRI EXEUNTES AD RADIOS LUNARES, “The men went out to the rays of the moon”.
Click here for additional images available from this book.
Request a high-resolution file (fees apply)
Rights Statement: The online edition of this work in the public domain, i.e., not protected by copyright, has been produced by Pitts Theology Library, Emory University.
Rights Status: No Copyright - United States
Pitts Theology Library provides copyright information as a courtesy and makes no representation about copyright or other legal status of materials in the Digital Image Archive.