Praying with Moses Cordovero: Adopting and Adapting Spanish Kabbalah in Italy and East-Central Europe

This article explores Moses Cordovero's (1522-1570) commentary on the Rosh Hashanah liturgy and its reception among Italian and East-Central European Jews, highlighting its intersections with broader issues in early modern Jewish history, such as manuscript and print cultures, individual mobility, and the dissemination of knowledge. Through an in-depth analysis of three documents-an annotated printed Mahzor and two manuscripts written in Ashkenazi script-the article demonstrates how individuals enhanced and adapted Cordovero's kabbalistic intentions for their own liturgical practices. The study traces the journey of Cordovero's commentary from manuscript to print and back into manuscript, emphasizing the personal stories and material transformations that made this text a practical tool for prayer. Ultimately, the article provides insights into the dynamic interplay between Cordoverean kabbalah and local liturgical rites, illustrating how early modern Jews actively engaged with and reshaped their devotional texts.