Img. ID: 2419
  Illuminated Manuscripts  

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בא'ה אמ'ה הפותח לנו שערי רחמים A decorated portalon the entire page encloses the following portion of the morning prayer for the service of the Day of Atonement: "Blessed be Thou ... who openest the gates of mercy..." The portal is surmounted by two side-turrets and is flanked by the two parts of an open door in burnished gold. The initial word, "Barukh" (Blessed), written in black ink, is set against a background of red scrolls with blue dots, inside the tympanum of the arch. Two yellow dragons with green wings flank the initial word. The word "Sha'arei" (Gates), is written in burnished gold below the initial word on a blue ground highlighted with red dotted rosettes. Three fabulous animals are arranged in the space between the letters of: on the right of the word, a tall green dragon with pink wings; on the left, a pink lion, his tail ending in flourishes and in the middle a red fox looking upwards. Five medallions decorate the portal. The uppermost medallion, situated at the center of the arch, encloses an empty, golden throne against a starry sky. The other four medallions, set on the capitals and bases of the columns of the portal enclose the four winged creatures of Ezekiel's vision (1:5-15), set against a golden ground. The capital of the column on the right encloses a red angel with a golden halo; the capital of the left column encloses a pinkish eagle; the base of the column on the right encloses a pink lion; and the base of the left column encloses a pink bull. One of the angel's eyes is scratched out.