Manuscript, Pri Etz Chaim, kavanot for prayers and mitzvot – based on the kabbalistic teachings of the Arizal, transmitted by his disciple R. Chaim Vital. [Europe, ca. 18th century].

Neat scribal writing. Minute Ashkenazic cursive script. The scribe incorporated the glosses of kabbalists in "windows" inside the text, including glosses by R. Natan Shapiro, "MeLikutei HaChaverim" and others. The present manuscript's recension differs from that of R. Meir Poppers, which was printed in the Korets 1785 edition, as well as from that of R. Natan Shapiro (Meorot Natan and Machberet HaKodesh). The precise nature of this recension remains to be researched.

The present copy appears to have belonged to kabbalist R. Aryeh Leib HaLevi Epstein, Rabbi of Königsberg and author of Sefer HaPardes, an associate of the Gaon of Vilna. On bottom of p. 103b, at the end of a gloss handwritten by the scribe on the order of the Biblical books, is added a signature: "So seems to me[?], Aryeh Leib HaLevi Epstein" – this can be presumed to be the signature of the Baal HaPardes, although we know of no other signature of his.

On endpapers and several other leaves, ownership inscriptions and signatures: "Belongs to me, Natan Aryeh Leib son of R. Dov Ber Segal of Grodno"; "This book belongs to… R. Natan Aryeh Leib son of R. Dov Ber Segal Epstein of the capital Grodno, known by all as R. Berel Mordechai Neches of the Epstein family of the same community"; "I purchased it with my money in order to fulfill the command of my Rock and Maker, so says Natan son of R. Dov Ber Neches"; "Natan Aryeh Leib Segal" (top of p. 1a); "Natan Aryeh Leib son of R. Dov Ber Segal Epstein" (top of p. 130b) – apparently the nephew (brother's son) of R. Aryeh Leib Epstein; see enclosed material.

Glosses by several writers on some pages.

R. Aryeh Leib HaLevi Epstein (1708-1775), Rabbi of Königsberg, was a leading rabbi and kabbalist of his generation, a companion of the Gaon of Vilna and a teacher of the Yesod VeShoresh HaAvodah. He authored 23 books in both revealed and hidden aspects of the Torah, some of which were printed in his lifetime, including Sefer HaPardes, for which he is best known, and Siddur Or HaShanim. Born in Grodno, he served as preacher and rabbi in several communities. In 1745 he was appointed Rabbi of Königsberg (Kaliningrad), where he served for about thirty years until his death. He was a friend of R. Aryeh Leib of Metz, the Shaagat Aryeh; and of R. Yehonatan Eibeshitz, who signs one of his letters to him: "eternally dedicated to your love and whose soul is tied with yours". R. Yehonatan Eibeshitz addressed his kabbalistic questions to him, and consulted with him on the proper custom for the kavanot of the High Holidays prayers. When the controversy around R. Yehonatan Eibeshitz broke out, R. Aryeh Leib defended him and praised him.

The Gaon of Vilna was a friend of the Pardes and discussed Torah, halachah and kabbalah with him. Although the Gaon of Vilna did not generally write approbations for books, he made an exception for only two authors, one of whom was R. Aryeh Leib (the second was R. Shmuel of Kalvarija). R. Aryeh Leib first printed the Vilna Gaon's approbation (which doesn't specify which book it was written for) in his Halachah Acharonah and Kuntres HaReayot, Königsberg 1759, and thereafter reprinted it in Or HaShanim, Königsberg 1765 (see: Vinograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGra, no. 991).

One of the famous disciples of the Pardes was R. Alexander Ziskind of Grodno, the Yesod VeShoresh HaAvodah, who quotes his teacher in his works.

130 leaves (leaves 104-108 blank). 20.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dark stains in several places. Browning of paper in part of volume. Tears and wear to several leaves. Damage, affecting text, on first leaf. New binding.