Bidspirit auction | Comprehensive Inquiry into the Origins

Comprehensive Inquiry into the Origins of the Zohar Two Kabbalistic Sefarim by Rabbi Yaakov Emden First Edition * Mitpachas Sefarim In this unique work, the Yaavetz, renowned for his deep mastery of the Zohar, asserts that there are various passages that were not authored by Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, but were interpolated into the Zohar at a later period. This foundational claim was endorsed and strengthened by the Chasam Sofer, who wrote of it: “Behold, found in your vicinity is the sefer Mitpachas Sefarim by the Yaavetz—go and find it there, for the prophet has spoken a great matter.” (Shu”t Chasam Sofer, vol. 6, siman 59) The sefer was composed as part of the Yaabetz’s fierce battle against the remnants of the Sabbatean movement, who sought to support their distorted beliefs through obscure passages in the Zohar (see his introduction). As the Chida writes, “It appears to me that the Rav, of blessed memory, also truly and sincerely grasped the matter of the holy Zohar. Yet, in his zeal against the accursed sect who committed transgressions punishable by kareis and capital punishment while claiming support from the words of the Zohar with lies and deceit, he presented arguments to uproot their basis and expressed these doubts for the sake of 'It is a time to act for Hashem', and his intention was for the sake of Heaven.” When the sefer 'Ben Yochai' by Rabbi M. of Kunitz, which challenged the ‘Mitpachas’, was brought before him, the Chasam Sofer responded: “The words of my beloved in Mitpachas Sefarim are sweet to me, more than the claims of Ben Yochai.” (Otzros HaSofer 19, p. 158) The second section of the sefer presents a critique of the sefer 'Emunas Chachamim' by Rabbi Aviad Sar Shalom Bazila (Mantua, 1730). Tzitzim U'Perachim Fundamental principles in Kabbalah and the holy Names, arranged alphabetically. The sefer serves as a supplement to the sefer 'Me’orei Ohr' by the kabbalist Rabbi Meir Poppers. It is an important and very rare kabbalistic work. The sefer was printed in the printing press that the Yaavetz established in his home in Altona for the purpose of printing his works. The Yaavetz, Rabbi Yaakov Emden (1698-1776) was a prolific Torah author, unparalleled in the scope of his writings and his unique style. His works were universally acclaimed. Yet this particular work, 'Mitpachas Sefarim', stands apart in both content and genre. In it, he argues that later writings, postdating the era of Rebbi Shimon bar Yochai, were incorporated into the Zohar which did not emanate from him. Mitpachas Sefarim: Altona, 1768. Page Count: 50 leaves. Size: 19 cm. Tzitzim U'Perachim: Altona, 1768. Page Count: 21 leaves. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The Yaavetz’s Private Printing Press in His Home in Altona On the title pages of both present sefarim, it is recorded that they were printed “in the author’s house”. In the year 1733, the Yaavetz returned from the city of Emden to the city of his fathers, Altona. There, Hashem granted him favor in the eyes of the king and ministers, and he received royal permission to establish a printing press in his home, so he might publish the many fruits of his spirit—his sacred sefarim. (Toldos Yaabetz, pp. 6–7) Driven by his fervent desire to publish his numerous works under his constant and meticulous supervision, the Yaavetz established this private press within his own home. The challenges he faced in doing so are recounted in his sefer 'Megillas Sefer' (ch. 26): ”Now I shall return to the matter of the printing press. Were I to commit to writing all that befell me because of it, the parchment would not suffice to contain it—it would require its own volume, and even then would not reach a third or a quarter of the tale. Who can recount all the troubles I endured in this endeavor? The first sefer I printed in my home, with my own workers and printing tools, was Shu”t She’eilas Yaabetz in the year 1739; I have already related what happened to me during its production. Thereafter, I undertook a great expense to commission new square typeface letters with nekudos and ta’amim from Amsterdam, at considerable cost, in addition to the sums I had already invested in tools and newly cast Rashi script type, all of which accumulated to a large amount...”