Lost 14th century Jewish prayers discovered in former Khazar region of Crimea
Lost prayers for Yom Kippur were found in the "Makhzor" of the XIV century
The new digitized prayer book of the Crimean rite of Kaffa preserves liturgical verses unknown elsewhere, giving an idea of the traditions lost in the era when prayers were largely standardized.
The last pages of the 14th century prayer book for Yom Kippur, including previously unknown liturgical verses, were presented by the National Library on September 25, 2025, The Times of Israel reports with reference to the Kedem auction house specializing in Judaics.
The National Library of Israel announced on Thursday that its recently acquired mahzor (prayer book for Jewish holidays) of the 14th century includes previously unknown liturgical verses for the Yom Kippur holiday.
According to Dr. Haim Neria, curator of the Judaica collection of Haim and Hannah Solomon at the National Library Laboratory, this discovery was a real event and gives an opportunity to look into the times when prayers were not yet standardized with the invention of the printing press.
The manuscript reflects the Kaffa rite ("nusah Kaffa"), a liturgical tradition that originated in the Black Sea port city of Kaffa on the Crimean peninsula. At that time, this region was a lively crossroads of Jewish life, where various communities lived, including Crimeans, Karaites, Khazars, Genoese, Sephardis and Ashkenazi Jews.
The Kaff rite reveals a noticeable similarity with the Judeo-Greek Romano-Romaniot tradition practiced by Romaniot Jews who lived in most of mainland Greece and its islands.
"We were already familiar with the Kaffa rite, but this mahzor seems to have been recorded before the tradition was systematized," Neria told The Times of Israel.
"What really surprised us is that the makhzor contains several piyutim [liturgical poems], completely unknown from other sources, as well as others, previously attested only in documents found in the Cairo genis," he added, referring to the treasury of Jewish community documents stored in an ancient synagogue in the Egyptian capital for centuries.
Traditionally, on Yom Kippur, which in 2025 falls on October 1-2, Jews fast from sunset to sunset, dedicating this day to prayer and redemption.
Piyutim are the central element of prayers read throughout the holy day.
The Crimean makhzor was recently purchased by the National Library from the collector Avigdor Klagsbald. Although the prayer book has not yet been put on public display, it is fully digitized and available online.
"We are looking forward to the experts studying it and sheding more light on these drinks," Neria said.
The scientist noted that the Kaff makhzor appeared even before the invention of the printing press, which quickly standardized the traditions of different communities, excluding less popular parts of the liturgy.
"We have something really unique, because these drinks have been preserved only in this makhzor," Neria said.
The last sheet of the makhzor also contains a previously unknown version of the blessing for the mourners.
"Blessed are You... Understanding every creature... Resurrecting the dead. May you have mercy on your people and comfort the hearts of those who mourn... The comforter of Zion and the hearts of the mourners. And let it be recompenssion to everyone who does good to his neighbor... He who gives good recompense to those who do good. May You hold Back Your anger... The one who turned away the plague, the sword, the extermination and the plague from us...", the blessing says.
Haim Neriya noted that, in his opinion, these words may be especially relevant in these troubled times.
"This can be a way to ask God to end the war," he said.
The scientist noted that documenting and preserving such traditions is the main mission of the National Library of Israel.
"We consider ourselves the guardians of the heritage of the Jewish people, especially traditions that are no longer observed today," Neria said, "but they remain part of our common history, and it is extremely important to preserve them and give them a voice. Perhaps in the future, some community will rediscover one of these forgotten drinks and bring them back to life."
Source: https://stmegi.com/posts/130058/v-makhzore-xiv-veka-obnaruzhili-uteryannye-molitvy-na-yom-kipur/