Perek Shirah

Perek Shirah

The Hebrew song of the universe from the 10th century in a wonderful manuscript from the 18th century: this Perek Shirah is stored as a gem of Jewish culture in the British Library in London. The manuscript is a work by the famous Viennese scribe Aaron Wolf Herlingen from Gewitsch. This master made a magnificent edition of the Hebraic praise of God’s creation, in which the elements and all the parts of the divine creation praise God’s work!

A Hebraic Hymn to Creation

Perek Shirah is also known as The Song of the Universe. The text, a 10th century work, is compiled from bible verses. In it, the elements, wind, water, animals, and all parts of the divine creation themselves get a chance to speak and praise God’s work. A Hebraic hymn to creation! Amazement for the spirituality of nature finds expression in the Perek Shirah. The faithful can comprehend the power of god in the beauty of nature.

A Viennese Manuscript of the 18th century

The manuscript MS. Or. 54 (OR. 12,983) of the British Library in London is a Jewish jewel from Vienna. The manuscript is comprised of 38 pages measuring 13 x 8 cm. A work by the scribe Aaron Wolf Herlingen from Gewitsch arose in the 18th century. He was also appointed as a court painter and is known above all for his Hebrew works.

Wonderful Landscapes and Natural Observation

The Perek Shirah manuscript in London curiously presents a 10th century literary-religious work in an 18th century manuscript. In this way, the art of illumination was able to come to life once more. The manuscript is furnished with wonderful miniatures, which present magnificent landscapes above all, in which the splendor of the divine creation is wonderfully visualized as befitting the text!