Manuscript, Otzrot Chaim, teachings of the Arizal transmitted by R. Chaim Vital, in North African recension. [Morocco, ca. first half of 18th century].

Western script, by one scribe. The scribe incorporated glosses of the kabbalists in "windows", including glosses of R. Yaakov Tzemach as well as several glosses by kabbalists of Marrakesh – R. Avraham Azulai and R. Avraham ibn Musa. R. Avraham Azulai is mentioned several times with the blessing for the living (see for instance p. 7b; R. Avraham Azulai passed away in 1741).

On margins of leaves, glosses by several writers. We were not able to identify the scribe of the manuscript or the writers of the marginal glosses. On p. 4b, gloss signed: "Avraham Assaban" (this may be an autograph gloss of R. Avraham son of R. Yitzchak Assaban, a rabbi in Meknes; see: Malchei Rabanan, p. 12b).

On p. 31a, stamp of R. Refael Abensour the last, Rabbi of Fez, who inherited his ancestors' writings and was known for his rich library.

After the conclusion of Otzrot Chaim, on p. 207b: "I found this addition in a copy of the book I had…", followed by a copying of "General introduction to the ten Sefirot of Atzilut" (Shaar Tlat Reishin); on p. 212b: "Again I found this, this is the Shaar HaMakifin…".

Otzrot Chaim, edited by R. Yaakov Tzemach, contains the order of Atzilut as transmitted to R. Chaim Vital by the Arizal. Since the book does not contain the complete order of Atzilut, Moroccan kabbalists edited it in a new recension incorporating several chapters from Mevo Shearim. The present manuscript is of the North African recension of the work, containing Otzrot Chaim integrated with parts of Mevo Shearim. This recension is found only in manuscripts of the Maghreb region, and was first printed in Livorno, 1849 (see: R. Yosef Avivi, Binyan Ariel, p. 59, note 31).

214 leaves. 20 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Tears to several leaves, slightly affecting text. Worming, slightly affecting text. Placed in new binding (detached) with matching case.

Provenance:

1. The Abensour Family Collection, Fez, Morocco.

2. The Victor Klagsbald Collection – Morocco, no. 5.

Reference: Victor Klagsbald, Catalogue des manuscrits marocains de la collection Klagsbald, Paris, 1980, p. 23.