Nuremberg Mahzor
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The Nuremberg Mahzor is a 14th century manuscript of the sidur according to the 'Eastern' Ashkenazi rite. Written in 1331, the ornamental manuscript includes the Jewish services for all occasions throughout the year, together with commentaries (in the margins) which have never been published.
The manuscript was written on parchment and, at 20 inches high by 14 inches wide, is one of the largest codices to have survived anywhere. It contains 521 folios.
The illuminated Nuremberg Mahzor contains prayers and piyyutim for the whole year according to the Eastern Ashkenazi (Austrian) rite, the five Megillot and the Haftarot.
From the 16th century until 1951 the manuscript was in the possession of the Nuremberg Municipal Library. It is now owned by Dr. David Jeselsohn.
The Nuremberg Mahzor is described as a "unique cultural object from the Middle Ages". It was written in calligraphic script by a scribe who is assumed to be a professional artist.
The style of illumination is that of the Upper Rhine valley.
The whole book has been scanned by the Jewish National and University Library in Jerusalem.[1]
