The Rothschild Mahzor is a Jewish prayer book for the Roman rite, handwritten and illuminated in Florence in 1490. The scribe, Abraham Judah ben Yehiel of Camerino, copied the text in Italian (Jewish languages) semi-cursive script. Its decoration, featuring floral designs, gold leaf, and colorful initials, reflects the artistry of multiple Florentine workshops (ateliers). Manuscript production in Renaissance Florence often involved collaborations among scribes, illuminators, and goldsmiths, blending Jewish liturgical needs with local artistic traditions. 

Rich Jewish families of the Italian Renaissance often imitated their high-status Christian neighbors, commissioning luxury books on fine parchment for their private collections. This was a way of showing their wealth and nobility.  

This page features the opening of Mishnah tractate Avot (“Fathers”), which speaks of Moses’ reception of the Torah at Sinai. The tablets emerging from heaven contain the Ten Commandments. The angel blowing the shofar illustrates the noise the Torah describes as the revelation took place. Again, earthly and heavenly figures are represented, despite the second commandment that would prohibit this. 

Notice the garments of the Jews gathered at the foot of the mountain. These are indistinguishable from those of the Jew’s Christian neighbors, showing again that Jews and their neighbors shared many styles and practices.