Bidspirit auction | (KABBALAH). Shalom (Mizrachi) Sharabi.  

(KABBALAH). Shalom (Mizrachi) Sharabi.   Tephiloth Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur [liturgy for the Days of Awe]. Based upon the mystical writings and meditations of the Ar'i z’l and R. Chaim Vital. Hebrew Manuscript written in more than one hand in black ink in square Hebrew characters alternating with Oriental cursive script. Later notations throughout in pencil. pp. (218) excluding blanks. Some light wear. Later pencil notations. (Jerusalem, late 19th-century.) The Siddur Rasha'sh contains innumerable Kabbalistic meditations, many of them arranged in diagrammatic form. Entire pages of this prayer-book are devoted to meditations upon a single word. Since it required extended time for the prayer leader to mentally engage with each and all of the kavanoth, or mystical intentions, prayers conducted in this manner are very lengthy. Followers of these practices are known as “mekhavnim” - from the word kavanah, or meditations. The founder of this method of prayer, the venerated Yemenite mystic R. Shalom Sharabi (the RaSha’Sh, 1720-77) is said to have been the reincarnation of the Ar'i z’l. The RaSha’Sh led the extraordinary Kabbalistic circle in Jerusalem known as Beth El, where, among his many disciples was the great R. Chaim Yoseph David Azulai (Chid'a). This particular Siddur is most desired by Kabbalists to this day, guiding the mystic how to focus upon the secret intentions sourced within the Holy Names and the depths of prayer found through the mystic wisdom of Kabbalah.