The Zaks Parokhet from Prague (1602): Sacred Object, Local Liturgy, and Familial Memory
Description
The Zaks parokhet, donated to Prague’s Altneuschul by Nathan, known as Karpel Zaks and his wife Hadasi in 1602, provides a framework through which to view the intersection of liturgy, memory and material culture in one early modern Jewish community. The parokhet’s role as a memorial to its donor is not apparent, however, by examining the object in isolation. In seeking to understand this Torah curtain’s meaning for its donor and the worshippers who used it, I consider its graphic and material design, contemporaneous texts and additional ceremonial objects from Prague and its environs, with particular concern to the memorial functions of each. While little evidence exists to inform of us of how the Zaks parokhet may have differed in these regards from its medieval predecessors, inscriptions from objects dating from later periods attest to changes that occurred as early as the latter part of the seventeenth century and continued into later modern times.
This presentation is for the following text(s):
- Compendium of Memorial Prayers from Prague
- Memorial Prayers from the Pinkas Synagogue, Prague
- Examples of Torah Mantles from Prague
Streaming Media
Event Website
http://wesscholar.wesleyan.edu/emw/emw2007/
Start Date
20-8-2007 12:00 PM
Location
University of Maryland, College Park, MD
The Zaks Parokhet from Prague (1602): Sacred Object, Local Liturgy, and Familial Memory
University of Maryland, College Park, MD
The Zaks parokhet, donated to Prague’s Altneuschul by Nathan, known as Karpel Zaks and his wife Hadasi in 1602, provides a framework through which to view the intersection of liturgy, memory and material culture in one early modern Jewish community. The parokhet’s role as a memorial to its donor is not apparent, however, by examining the object in isolation. In seeking to understand this Torah curtain’s meaning for its donor and the worshippers who used it, I consider its graphic and material design, contemporaneous texts and additional ceremonial objects from Prague and its environs, with particular concern to the memorial functions of each. While little evidence exists to inform of us of how the Zaks parokhet may have differed in these regards from its medieval predecessors, inscriptions from objects dating from later periods attest to changes that occurred as early as the latter part of the seventeenth century and continued into later modern times.
This presentation is for the following text(s):
- Compendium of Memorial Prayers from Prague
- Memorial Prayers from the Pinkas Synagogue, Prague
- Examples of Torah Mantles from Prague
Click here to view the videos.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/emw/emw2007/emw2007/6
