"Simkhes Toyre Lid le-Rivkah Tiktiner", by Yael Levine (Jerusalem 2005, 32 pp.) [=Simchas Torah Song by Rivkah Tiktiner].
Rivkah bat Meir Tiktiner (d. 1605) was the first Jewish woman to compose a book, the Yiddish musar work for women "Meineket Rivkah" [=Rebeka's Nursemaid]. This book was published in two editions, the first was issued in Prague in 1609. Rivkah Tiktiner is buried in the ancient Jewish cemetery in Prague, though she arrived in Prague at an unknown date from Poland. Rivkah Tiktiner also composed a Yiddish song, "Simkhes Toyre Lid." This song, consisting of eighty lines, is a hymn of praise to The Creator. The motif of the future redemption, including the banquet of the righteous, figures prominently in the second part of the song. The dates of the composition of both "Simkhes Toyre Lid" and "Meineket Rivkah" are unknown. The Yiddish version of "Simkhes Toyre Lid" was published in a critical edition by Chone Shmeruk, first in an article on Rivkah Tiktiner which appeared in 1978, and subsequently in an updated version in his book "Sifrut Yiddish be-Polin," published by Magnes Press in 1981. In "Simkhes Toyre Lid le-Rivkah Tiktiner," the Yiddish critical edition by Shmeruk is reproduced. This is followed by a Hebrew translation, carried out in conjunction with Dr. Boris Kotlerman. References to the motifs appearing in the song are also included. The Yiddish text of "Simkhes Toyre Lid" and its Hebrew translation appearing in "Simkhes Toyre Lid le-Rivkah Tiktiner," are prefaced with a scholarly introduction concerning Rivkah Tiktiner and her works. The introduction commences with the biographical information known about Tiktiner. A Yizkor prayer in her memory is published for the first time from the manuscript "Kuntress Beit Knesset Altneushul bi-Prague" (Jewish Museum of Prague, ms. 113). This prayer is the only known source which makes mention of her husband. His personal name appears in the prayer. However, the manuscript is defective in this place, and it is not possible to discern it. The introductory chapter also compiles for the first time the evidence concerning learned women in Prague. Most interestingly, on several inscriptions in the ancient Jewish cemetery there is reference to women who devoted their time to the Torah study. "Simkhes Toyre Lid le-Rivkah Tiktiner" is available at the following locations in Jerusalem: Lichtenstein bookstore on Straus St. near Kikar ha-Shabbat; Hevruta Book Store on 16 ha-Lamed Hey St. in Old Katamon; Ludwig Mayer Bookstore on Shlomzion ha-Malka St; Nissan Levi Store on Keren ha-Kayyemet St., Jerusalem. The price of the booklet is NIS 20. Mail orders within Israel are accepted directly from myself at NIS20 + NIS 5 for postage. Orders from abroad may be placed with Sifrei Yerushalayim. For further details email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED] or call 972-2-6433580. Yael Levine <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) =========================================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
