Seder Tikunei Shabbat, by R. Isaac Luria Ashkenazi, the Arizal. Illuminated parchment manuscript, created by the scribe and illustrator Meshulam Simmel of Polna (Bohemia). Vienna ("in Amsterdam typeface"), 1714.

Ashkenazic square script, vocalized, in various sizes; and semi-cursive ("Rashi") script.

The contents of the manuscript are detailed on the title page: "Order of Shabbat Tikunim, unprinted in this fashion, from the G-dly man, the holy… R. Isaac Luria Ashkenazi, with the addition of the order for after Shabbat, hymns, Blessing over the Moon and Kiddush for the New Year and the Three Pilgrimage Holidays; created in 1714, here at the Royal City of Vienna, in Amsterdam typeface".

The manuscript is divided into two parts: the first part (leaves 2 to 48a) contains the orders of study and prayer in accordance with the Arizal's kabbalistic teachings, including the Kabbalat Shabbat psalms (with "Lecha Dodi" and "Shalom Aleichem"), Order for the First Meal, Order for the Third Meal, and Order for after Shabbat, with "Pittum HaKetoret", various passages and kabbalistic rites. The second part (leaves 48b to 69) begins with the Order of the Zemirot for Shabbat Eve, followed by additional Orders of Zemirot, including numerous piyyutim for Shabbat Eve, for Shabbat Day, and for after Shabbat, with acrostics and other types of "signatures" of their authors; continuing with Havdalah, Blessing over the Moon, Kiddush for the New Year, and Kiddush for the Three Pilgrimage Holidays.

The scribe signs his name in the colophon on p. 48a (at the end of the first part of the manuscript): "…by the scribe Meshulam called Simmel son of R. Moses of Polin in Bohemia, created in 1714".

Illustrations and artwork:

The manuscript begins with an illuminated title page featuring architectonic elements. At the top of the page is the figure of a man in Oriental Jewish dress (possibly representing the Arizal). Other illustrations and artworks appear intermittently throughout the manuscript, including titles illuminated in various styles and techniques, on pp. [2a], [4a], [6a], [7b], [48b], and [54a], which include a medallion in a vegetal pattern, initials in color in the form of cloth ribbons, initials in gilt, and miniatures in vegetal or geometric patterns. In addition, there are seven miniatures featuring human figures on pp. [8a], [9b], [20a], [29b], [37a], [41a], and [45a], including: an illustration of a woman standing next to a Shabbat table (appearing next to "Eshet Chayil"); the figure of King Solomon (introducing Song of Songs); three illustrations depicting a festive meal (next to the blessings for the start of the first meal, for the end of the first meal, and for the third meal); an illustration depicting angels alongside the figures of Jacob and Esau (at the beginning of "VaYishlach"); and an illustration depicting the Havdalah ceremony. All pages are bordered with greenish-gold rectangular frames.

Among Meshulam Simmel's works, some seven manuscripts similar to "Seder Tikunei Shabbat" have been documented, most of them belonging to library or museum collections. These include: The British Museum, London, Add. 11433; Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) Library, New York, Ms. 4259; Hamburg State and University Library, Cod. Levy 59; The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 180/5; and others.

For a detailed listing of all the manuscripts he is responsible for, see: Claudia J. Nahson, "An Early Decorated Book of Genesis by Meshullam Zimmel Comes to Light", in Meḥevah le-Menaḥem: Studies in Honor of Menahem Hayyim Schmelzer, Jerusalem, 2019, pp. 145-170.