18th-century prayer book of Luria’s teachings to go on display at ANU ahead of Lag Ba’omer

The ANU – Museum of the Jewish People is set to unveil a significant artifact ahead of the Lag Ba’omer holiday: a rare 18th-century prayer book containing the mystical intentions of Rabbi Isaac Luria, known as Ha'ari.

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A rare 18th-century prayer book, based on the teachings of 16th-century mystic Rabbi Isaac Luria and offering a glimpse into the hidden world of Jewish mysticism, will go on display for the first time at the ANU – Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv, beginning just before the Lag Ba’omer holiday.

This unique siddur, meticulously hand-copied in 1749 in Satanov (modern-day Ukraine) by Israel ben Raphael Segal, offers a profound glimpse into the hidden world of Jewish mysticism. It demonstrates the belief that prayer is not merely recitation but a powerful practice capable of influencing both earthly and spiritual realms. Ha'ari, a pivotal 16th-century Kabbalist, revolutionized Jewish thought, viewing prayer as a means of 'tikkun,' or repair, for the world.

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The holiday, which is observed this year starting in the evening of May 4 and which is traditionally associated with the figure of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, as well as with the world of Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism, will be marked at the museum with the unveiling of a unique siddur, or prayer book, containing the kavanot, or mystical intentions, from Rabbi Isaac Luria, known as Ha'ari.

What makes this manuscript particularly fascinating is that it was copied by hand almost three centuries after the printing press became widespread. This practice stemmed from a prohibition among Kabbalists against printing Ha'ari's teachings, a measure taken to control their circulation and preserve their esoteric nature within specific circles. The siddur's arrangement, following the Kabbalistic worlds of Atzilut, Beriah, Yetzirah, and Asiyah, and its inclusion of holy name combinations and diagrams, further underscore its significance as a window into the inner world of Kabbalists.

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The siddur was copied by hand in 1749 in the town of Satanov, then in Poland, and today in Ukraine, by the scribe Israel ben Raphael Segal.

This unveiling is especially timely as Lag Ba’omer is traditionally associated with Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism. The museum's exhibition allows the public to connect with this deep spiritual heritage, highlighting a tradition that continues to influence Jewish practice and thought today. It is a testament to the enduring power of these ancient teachings and the dedication of those who preserved them.

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Written in ink on paper and bound in leather decorated with colored leather panels and gold leaf, the book reflects a profound spiritual tradition in which prayer is not only a text to be recited but also a practice in which every word is believed to have the power to influence both this world and the next.