Auction 105 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Esther Scrolls and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Mikdash Melech (on the Zohar) – First Edition – Amsterdam, 1750-1752 – Three of Four Parts
Opening: $400
Sold for: $813
Including buyer's premium
Mikdash Melech, commentary on the Zohar by kabbalist R. Shalom Buzaglo of Morocco. Amsterdam: Hertz Levi Rofe and his son-in-law Kosman, [1750-1752]. First edition, printed in the author's lifetime.
Three of four parts, with title page heading each of three volumes. Shemot, Vayikra, Bamidbar and Devarim (without title page for Devarim – included only in some copies). At end of Parts II and IV, Talmudic novellae from the author's lectures in the Etz Chaim yeshiva in London, including Divrei Shalom VeEmet on the Rambam – including leaf 9 of this section (not recorded in the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book).
The Vayikra volume includes approbations by R. Aryeh Leib Rabbi of Amsterdam and R. Yaakov Emden, son-in-law and son of the Chacham Tzvi, respectively [R. Yaakov Emden later suspected the book of Sabbateanism and retracted his approbation]. Volume IV contains an approbation from R. Yaakov Pinto of Marrakesh, and an introduction by R. Yitzchak HaKohen Belinfante.
The famous kabbalist R. Shalom Buzaglo (Rashab; ca. 1700-1780; Malchei Rabanan, p. 112a), author of Mikdash Melech. Born in Salé near Rabat, where he studied Torah under his father the kabbalist R. Moshe Buzaglo, as well as the elder R. Chaim ibn Attar (grandfather of the Or HaChaim) in his final years, he served as dayan in Rabat and Salé.
He was later a member of the circle of kabbalists in Marrakesh, where he was a disciple of R. Avraham Azulai, and a disciple and peer of R. Yaakov Pinto, R. Yeshayah HaKohen and R. Yaakov Gedaliah (on this circle see: R. Moshe Hillel, Teudah LeToldot Chug Mekubalei Marrakesh BaDor HaRishon, Min HaGenazim X, pp. 23-80). Ca. 1745 he was compelled to flee Morocco due to persecution by the authorities, and he experienced great miracles, as he recounts in his introduction to Mikdash Melech: "…'The heart of the king is in the hand of G-d'; He changed his attitude to me from an enmity to friendship… when I was but a step away from the burning for which I was bound and ready…". He recounts in a letter: "I was cast into fire for the sanctification of G-d's name and I sacrificed my life; G-d Who saved me then from the fiery furnace will assist me regarding the honor of His name…" (Meirat Einayim, second letter, 9th Tamuz 1751).
In his introduction to Kise Melech he also signs: "So says the one saved from fire twice, from the Arab king and his general, relying on the kindness of the Rock and Savior of Israel". After leaving Morocco he arrived in London, where he was appointed rabbi of the Sephardic community in the city. He is particularly famous for his Mikdash Melech commentary on the Zohar which he edited and published (Amsterdam 1750-1752), and his other kabbalistic works: Hadrat Kise Melech – commentary on Tikunim (Amsterdam 1769), Hadrat Melech – on passages of the Zohar, Hadrat Hod Melech – on Sifra DiTzniuta, Hadrat Kevod Melech – on passages of Etz Chaim, and Hadrat Pnei Melech – on the Idrot (published in Amsterdam 1766 and London 1770-1773). He authored an introduction to the Zohar, first printed in the Zohar edition of Amsterdam 1772, which was reprinted in many Zohar editions up to this day.
Each of the three volumes contains ownership inscriptions and signatures, as well as censorship inscriptions [dated 1837]. Bookplates of R. Y. L. Gurwitz, Rabbi of Melbourne, Australia [R. Yosef Lipman Gurwitz (1885-1956), a rabbi of Lithuania and Australia, an intimate associate of R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski in Vilna and a founder of the Agudat HaRabbanim in Lithuania, Agudat Yisrael and the Yavneh educational network in Lithuania. In 1932 he traveled to Australia, serving as rabbi in Melbourne. He corresponded on halachic issues with many leading rabbis of his generation, and worked extensively to benefit yeshivas worldwide, especially during World War II].
Three volumes. Shemot: [1], 220, 225-226, [3] leaves (misordering of leaves 114-119); Vayikra: [2], 182, [1] leaves; Bamidbar and Devarim: [3], 152 leaves; 82 leaves; 9 leaves; [3] leaves. 19-19.5 cm. Overall good to good-fair condition. Stains and wear. Paper repairs to margins of several leaves. Color edges. Worming, mainly to bindings. Small open tear to center of Vayikra title page. Original leather bindings (uniform), wear and defects to bindings.
Kabbalistic Books
Kabbalistic Books