Bidspirit auction | Maarechet HaElohut with Minchat Yehudah

Maarechet HaElohut with Minchat Yehudah Commentary – Ferrara, 1557 – First Edition - Maarechet HaElohut, kabbalistic principles, attributed to Rabbeinu Peretz, a Tosafist, with the Minchat Yehudah commentary by R. Yehudah Chayat. Ferrara: R. Abraham ibn Usque, [1557]. First edition. Maarechet HaElohut is a classic kabbalistic book. The identity of the author is subject to various conjectures, but it is clear that the book was authored after the passing of the Rashba (d. 1310), whom the author refers to with a blessing for the deceased. Two commentaries accompany the work, one by an unidentified author, and the second – Minchat Yehudah, a famous and classic kabbalistic commentary, by the kabbalist R. Yehudah Chayat (a Spanish exile), known as ”the Chayat”. The publisher of this book was R. Yitzchak de Lattes, who inserted his notes in the Minchat Yehudah commentary (some are signed with his initials). The commentary also contains glosses by R. Chaim Ben Chason of Ancona. In his foreword, R. Yehudah Chayat describes the trials and tribulations he experienced during the Spanish expulsion, and his troubles in the following years, until he reached Italy. At the end of his foreword, he lists kabbalistic books, noting which books should be studied and which are not suitable (among others, he fiercely condemns the kabbalist R. Avraham Abulafia and his books). This book was printed the same year the Zohar was printed in Mantua, and its publication even preceded that of the Zohar. Both books were printed amidst a great controversy between the leaders of the generation, regarding whether the generation was worthy of the printing of these books. R. Yitzchak de Lattes, publisher of the present work, issued a reasoned ruling in which he approves the printing of these books. In this ruling, which was printed in most editions of the Zohar at the beginning of the first volume, he refers the reader to R. Yehudah Chayat's foreword to this work. Ownership inscription at center of title page of ”R. Leib…”. Another signature at top of title page (trimmed and hidden by paper repair). On leaf [6] and p. 278b, short handwritten poem with author's name in acrostic: ”Yitzchak HaKohen Valle”. [6], 286 leaves. Misfoliation. 20.5 cm. Overall fair condition. Some leaves in fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains and dark stains, especially to first leaves. Wear. Tears and open tears to title page and other leaves, affecting text, partially repaired with paper. Worming, affecting text (much worming to first and last leaves). Early wood and leather binding, with new leather spine. Worming and defects to binding.