Obj. ID: 17297
Sacred and Ritual Objects  Sabbath cloth, Jerusalem, late 19th century

The rectangular Sabbath^cloth consists of a pink upper cloth and a green lining. The decorative composition includes two columns which divide the cloth into three vertical sections and depictions of the Holy Places and and inscribed prayers for Sabbaths and festivals, in between. The central section depicts two looking backwards rampant lions flanking a medallion, surmounted by a crown and two unidentified illustrations within rectangles. The medallion bears an inscription in square filled letters which reads:

"לכבוד##שבת## ויום טוב" "In honour of the Sabbath and Festivals".

A ribbon is set beneath the medallion and bears the inscription:

"ע"מ ו"ט ממזרח שמש עד מבואו מהולל שם יי']תהילים קי'ג:3( (Ps.113:3)

The lower part bears a rectangular composition with a central illustration of the Temple Mount enclosed by seven different scenes, probably depicting Holy Places in Eretz Israel. Four additional depictions are situated on its corners. All the illustrations are framed by medallions and bear identifying inscriptions.

A ribbon is set beneath the rectangle and bears the inscription:

"פעיה"ק)פה עיר הקודש( ירושלם תובב"א)תבנה ותכונן במהרה בימינו אמן("

"Here the holy city of Jerusalem may it be built and established speedily in our time, amen". 

The ribbon is flanked by two additional medallions with unidentified illustrations. The lateral columns contain written passages entitled in bigger letters "Zikhroni" and "Qodesh", from right to left, respectively. Each column is topped by a panel surmounted by a crown and flanked by a lion and a deer. The panels depict cohen`s hands benediction, on the right, and the tables of the covenant, on the left. The columns are mounted over depictions of the cities of Jericho, on the right, and Shkhem, on the left. The side sections bear inscribed prayers entitled in bigger letters:

"For Sabbaths" and "For Festivals".

The passages are mounted over depictions of the four animals identified separately [following a verse of Rabbi Judah ben Temah]:

"עז כנמר##וקל כנשר## רץ כצבי## וגבור כארי" (Mishnah Avot 5:20)