"This is the book of Adam HaRishon given to him by Raziel HaMalach". kabbalah and segulot. [Amsterdam: Moshe Mendes Coutinho, 1701]. First edition. Many kabbalistic illustrations.
Incomplete copy (lacking title page and introduction leaf).
First edition, compiled and printed directly from manuscripts. This book is the source of many well-known segulot, such as for remembering Torah study, a protective amulet for a woman giving birth, etc. Merely having this book in the house is a reputed segulah for protection from harm and fire, as stated on the title page: "An excellent segulah to bear wise and sage sons; for success, blessing and to extinguish fire, so that it not affect one's home, and no demon or evil incident will affect the dwelling of one who keeps this holy, awesome book safe with his money in his treasury, and in times of fear and trouble it will afford him speedy salvation. And this will be attested to by any Torah observer". Some say that it is a segulah for the childless and for women experiencing difficult labor.
On p. 42b is printed the text of an amulet followed by a special prayer: "May you open the heart of Leib son of Sarah to study Torah… and Torah rationales, secrets and depths, and may his heart be like a flowing spring…". A Chassidic tradition finds hinted in this prayer the wondrous powers of the tzaddik R. Leib Sarah's (Leib son of Sarah), a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov. The book was printed about thirty years before his birth (see: Shem HaGedolim HeChadash, letter lamed, leaves 42-43).
Ownership inscriptions on endpapers, dated 1773-1779. The inscription on the verso of the front endpaper [dated 1775?] warns not to perform the kabbalistic acts without protection from impurity and separation from worldly affairs.
This copy lacks first two leaves (including title page). 3-18, [1], 19-45 leaves. 22.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including traces of former dampness, and dark dampstains to margins. Wear. Tears and open tears, slightly affecting text, repaired with paper strips. Worming. One leaf detached, and several leaves loose. Many stamps. Early binding, with defects, without spine.
