Bidspirit auction | Ma'arechet HaElokut – Mantua, 1558.

Ma'arechet HaElokut – Mantua, 1558. Antique Marginalia. - Sefer Ma'arechet HaElokut, matters of faith, Kabala and Jewish philosophy, attributed to Rabbi Peretz ben Yitzchak of Gironde, with the commentary of Rabbi Yehuda Chait and another commentary. Mantua, Rosh Chodesh Adar Sheni, [February] 1558. Printed by Meir ben Efraim of Padova and Ya'akov ben Naftali HaCohem of Gazzola. Title within architectural arch. Important Antique Marginal Notations. This edition was printed four months after the first edition was printed in Ferrara in the month of Cheshvan [October] 1557. The difference between the editions is the ”other” commentary which was printed in the first edition under the name ”Anonymous commentary”. In this edition, many sections of the commentary based on Greek philosophers were omitted, and many sections of explanations by other authors were added. The proofreader of the Mantua edition, Rabbi Emanuel Benvento hints to this in his introduction, ”You will not see (in this edition) the opinions of Aristotle and his disciples and no quotes from non-Jews…”. One of the most significant works on the Kabbalah due to its systematic treatment of all relevant themes in earlier literature. Its contribution to speculative mystic theory in pre-Zoharite Kabbalistic literature is the increased symbolism of the Sephiroth. The author quotes a multitude of names by which each Sephirah is known, each signifying a differing function. He also develops the “Adam Kadmon” theory, whereby the likeness of the order of the Divine Powers of the Sephiroth to the human body is explored. Rabbi Judah Chayat’s introduction contains an autobiographical account of the expulsion of Jews from Portugal, recounting his own trials and tribulations including capture by pirates. He describes his suffering at the hands of Arabs while in the Barbary States. His wife died there of hunger, while he himself toiled for a “thin slice of bread not fit for a dog.” Chayut eventually reached Italy, where he composed this commentary with the encouragement of Joseph Ya’avetz. The final part of his introduction recommends works one should study and those unsuitable and full of errors. Chayat reserves particular criticism for Abraham Abulafia, whose works he describes as “figments of a vain imagination.” See G. Scholem, On the Problems of Sepher Ma’aricheth Ha’Elokuth and Its Commentaries, in Kiryat Sefer Vol. 21 (1944) pp. 284-95. [1], 8-204, 273-281 Leaves. Lacking leaves 2-7. Also lacking leaves 117–120 and 205–208, but these have been supplemented from another edition (apparently the first edition, Ferrara 1558). 20 Cm. Self dedication on the title page of the Rebbi Menachem Binyamin Ben Zion Rottenberg Halberstam (1881–1957), the Sanzer Rebbe of New York, was a descendant of the illustrious Sanz and Kshanov dynasties. His lineage included: Rebbi Aharon of Biala-Bilitz, Rebbi Yosef Zev of Kshanov, son of Rebbi David of Kshanov, Rebbi David of Kshanov, son of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz. On his maternal side, he descended from Rebbi Alter Chaim of Walbrum, adopting the surname ”Rottenberg” from this branch. A scion of several prominent Chassidic dynasties, his genealogy intertwined with the great tzaddikim of Ropshitz, Sanz, Or Lashamayim, Belz, and Apta. Rebbi Rottenberg established his court in New York after emigrating to the United States. Revered as a spiritual leader, he presided over his beit midrash and served as the president of the Union of Rebbes (Agudas HaAdmorim).