Auction 97 Part 2 Rare and Important Items
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Manuscript, anthology of works on reincarnation (Gilgul) in the Arizal's kabbalah, including Sefer HaGilgulim by R. Chaim Vital in an unknown recension from the circle of R. Moshe Zacuto. [Italy, 17th/18th century].
Italian script, by two scribes. Contains three works on reincarnation according to the Arizal's kabbalah: Sefer HaGilgulim by R. Chaim Vital, in an anonymous recension, known only from this manuscript – see below (leaves 1-88); "More principles in the secret of reincarnation" – various chapters from the writings of R. Chaim Vital on reincarnation (leaves 89-114); "Matters of reincarnation received by R. Moshe Azariah (Rama) of Fano from R. Yisrael Sarug" (leaves 117-133).
The first work, covering most of the manuscript, is a different, unknown recension of Sefer HaGilgulim by R. Chaim Vital. There are two known recensions of Sefer HaGilgulim – one, by R. Meir Poppers, who placed it as the fourth section of Nof Etz Chaim (which was later printed separately, in Frankfurt, 1684), containing 36 chapters; and a second recension of Sefer HaGilgulim by R. Natan Spira, containing 72 chapters (printed in Przemyśl, 1875). The present Sefer HaGilgulim contains 57 chapters, distinct from the two above recensions. It is an independent recension, first known from the present manuscript.
On the first page is written: "Sefer HaGilgulim by the Arizal, investigations on souls, reincarnation, rebirth and some details and novellae". On the margins, the copyist added notes by R. Natan Spira (marked with the abbreviation for "it seems in my humble view, Natan") and by R. Moshe Zacuto (with the abbreviation for "Moshe Zacuto, to me it seems" or "Moshe Zacuto says"). Notes by R. Moshe Zacuto are also added on the margins of the investigations in the second work. On leaf [38] the copyist added in the margins: "In the book of my teacher I found…". On leaf [77]: "This belongs to leaf… and it is another version that I found written in the book of my teacher".
Both of the first two works were scribed by the same copyist, whose the manuscripts of the Arizal's kabbalah in the Beit Midrash of R. Moshe Zacuto, see: Avivi, Kabbalat HaAri, II, pp. 724 ff.).
[133] leaves. 22 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains (ink faded in several places). Some wear. Tears and worming to several leaves, professionally restored with paper. New leather binding.
Written based on an expert opinion by R. Yosef Avivi, enclosed.
Lot 88 Manuscript, Etz Chaim by R. Chaim Vital – Sephardic Lands, 18th Century – Glosses by Charshak
![Manuscript, Etz Chaim, kabbalah of the Arizal by R. Chaim Vital. [Sephardic lands, 18th century].Cursive Oriental script (cha](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale97/88_1.jpg "Manuscript, Etz Chaim by R. Chaim Vital – Sephardic Lands, 18th Centur")
![Manuscript, Etz Chaim, kabbalah of the Arizal by R. Chaim Vital. [Sephardic lands, 18th century].Cursive Oriental script (cha](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale97/88_2.jpg "Manuscript, Etz Chaim by R. Chaim Vital – Sephardic Lands, 18th Centur")
![Manuscript, Etz Chaim, kabbalah of the Arizal by R. Chaim Vital. [Sephardic lands, 18th century].Cursive Oriental script (cha](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale97/88_3.jpg "Manuscript, Etz Chaim by R. Chaim Vital – Sephardic Lands, 18th Centur")
![Manuscript, Etz Chaim, kabbalah of the Arizal by R. Chaim Vital. [Sephardic lands, 18th century].Cursive Oriental script (cha](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale97/88_4.jpg "Manuscript, Etz Chaim by R. Chaim Vital – Sephardic Lands, 18th Centur")
Manuscript, Etz Chaim, kabbalah of the Arizal by R. Chaim Vital. [Sephardic lands, 18th century].
Cursive Oriental script (characteristic of the Ottoman regions, perhaps from Eretz Israel). The present volume begins from gate 25 – Shaar Derushei HaTzelem, until the end of the book (gate 48, normally called Shaar HaKelipot, here called Shaar Derushei HaKelipot; gate 49, normally called Shaar Kelipat Nogah, here called Shaar HaKelipot; and gate 50, normally called Shaar Kitzur Abia, here [mistakenly?] called Shaar Kelipat Nogah).
The scribe included glosses and references in parentheses within the text, and sometimes in "windows" inside the text, including a small number of glosses from R. Yaakov Tzemach and R. Moshe Zacuto.
Among others, there appear several glosses attributed to "Charshak".
It is unclear who "Charshak" is and what the initial letters of "Charshak" stand for. We know that R. Avraham Meyuchas, author of Sedeh HaAretz, cites him often in his work Diglei Ahavah (commentary on Etz Chaim), where he usually calls him "M. D. Charshak" (see preface to the work, Ahavat Shalom edition, Jerusalem 2003, p. 26, and p. 50, note 96). The Sedeh HaAretz is effectively the only source that cites him, apparently based on a manuscript he had. The present manuscript is an additional source for the glosses of this "Charshak" (which was written in the same period and perhaps in the same region; the writing resembles the handwriting of the Sedeh HaAretz).
In one place appears a gloss beginning "it appears to me, Chanan…". The identity of this writer is unclear to us.
[235] leaves. 21 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains (with ink fading in several places). Worming, affecting text in several leaves. New binding.
Manuscript, Siddur Kavanat HaRashash – prayers for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot. [Damascus/Egypt? ca. early 20th century].
Oriental semi-cursive and square script. Contains kavanot for the Amidah prayer of Rosh Hashanah, the blowing of the shofar, the Amidah prayer of Yom Kippur, Musaf for Rosh Hashanah, the Avodah for Yom Kippur, the blessing and waving of the lulav, and Hakafot for Sukkot and Hoshana Rabba.
This siddur was used by the rabbi, kabbalist and emissary R. Chaim Yitzchak HaKohen Tarab-Maslaton. His name is inscribed in gilt lettering on the spine of the binding: "Chaim Yitzchak HaKohen Tarab". He is likely the scribe of the siddur. The first leaf reads: "Siddur arranged by the Rashash… in accordance with his tradition from the writings of R. Chaim Vital… based on the holy Arizal, for the High Holidays, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. May G-d in His mercy grant me the merit to soon pray from it with the pious of Jerusalem". The last sentence gives the impression that the Siddur was not scribed in Jerusalem, and it is unclear if it was scribed in Damascus before he immigrated to Eretz Israel, in Egypt while he lived there, or in another place he visited on a journey as an emissary.
R. Chaim Yitzchak HaKohen Tarab-Maslaton (d. 1935), born in Damascus and later immigrated to Eretz Israel, becoming one of the Torah scholars and kabbalists of Jerusalem. He also lived in Egypt for some time. He served as an emissary for the Misgav LaDach hospital, and as such he traveled to many Asian and North African communities (during his visit to Tunis he wrote two amulets, one containing an Ilan Sefirot, for the infant R. Matzliach Mazuz, who wore them his entire life). In Jerusalem he joined a group of kabbalists specializing in kavanot, headed by R. Shaul HaKohen Dweck. Towards the end of his life, he published She'erit Yaakov by his father-in-law R. Yaakov HaKohen Tarab-Maslaton, Rabbi of Beirut (Jerusalem, 1930-1932).
[120] written leaves (and many blank leaves). 24 cm. Thick, high-quality paper. Good condition. Some stains. Bottom of first leaf trimmed. Original binding, with leather spine. Damage and wear to binding.