Bidspirit auction | Illustrated manuscript – Ancient and

Illustrated manuscript – Ancient and Extremely Rare – Sefer Reishit Chochmah – [Egypt / Syria], 1790 - Manuscript of Sefer Reishit Chochmah by Rabbeinu Eliyahu da Vidas (a disciple of the Ramak), eloquent eastern script matching the style of Eastern Countries [apparently, Egypt or Syria], with color illustrations and ornaments along the entire manuscript. At the end of the volume, a circular illustration with an inscription in gilt ink [apparently by the writer]: ”נאום הצעיר יוסף בן שמואל חזן תנצב”ה” [ the speech of the young Yosef ben Shmuel Chazan]. In the inner circle, a blurred notation in black ink: ”בסייעתא דשמיא תם ספר זה י”ח לחדש תשרי שנת חמשת אלפים וערבת [!] מאות וחמשי'” [ with Heaven's help, this books has ended the 18th of Tishrei 1789]. The type of leaf and style of script indeed match these years. Throughout the entire manuscript, there are special color decorations, illustrations of various shapes, surrounded by the text of the book: circles, ornate initials, illustrations of trees and flowers and more. The first half of the manuscript is missing. This is the second half of the work: beginning with Sha'ar Hakedushah chapter 16 to the end of the book [including the chapters of the Mitzvot, Gidul Banim, Massa Umatan, Dinim and Derech Eretz, which the author enclosed from Sefer Menorat Hama'or by Rabbi Yisrael Elnekaveh]. Documentation of this manuscript from 1922: On the cardboard binding with which the manuscript was wrapped, it was written ”Reishit Chochmah manuscript – I have received from Dr. Tzemach Rabbiner, Darshan in Sofia, as a gift”. Enclosed is a photocopy of a letter by Dr. Tzemach Rabbiner, ”the Chief Darshan of the Jewish communities of Bulgaria”, who wrote a lengthy letter about this manuscript. The letter is dated Av 1922. It is addressed to Dr. Avraham Marmurstein [Av Beit Din of Vinkvetzi and later, London. HaChatam Sofer Vetalmidav p. 573]. Among others, he writes that the reason he had postponed sending the manuscript was that he went to the old Beit Midrash to search for the leaves that were missing from it. He adds that he compared this manuscript to the printed version and noticed there were several differences between them . He also states that the old Rav of the community believes the manuscript was two hundred years old. It had belonged to a merchant who brought it from Salonika, where he had bought it from an emissary who had brought it from Jerusalem. Rabbi Tzemach Rabbiner then continues to describe the illustrations: ”Inside the manuscript, there are illustrations. However, I did not understand what they imply. According to the Old Rav here, they are Kabbalistic although in my humble opinion, they are merely simple decorations. However, I cannot decide since I have never studied Kabbalah. Either way, this manuscript is worthy of being studied”! Sefer Reishit Chochmah – a great Kabbalistic and Mussar book ”subdues a man's heart, bring Yirah to it and awakens it to Teshuvah” (Siddur Rabbi Shabtai of Rashkov). Similar things were said by all Gedolei Yisrael about the book, it being the first on their list of Sifrei Mussar. To this day, the book is considered a foundational Mussar book. The first edition of the book was published in 1579 in Venice; ever since, approx. 50 subsequent editions were published. In addition, the book had varied abbreviated versions such as Marpeh Lanefesh (Venice, 1600) and Totzot Chaim (authored by Rabbeinu the author himself), which also had dozens of editions. The book was translated into Spanish and Yiddish (already in 1633). The author, Rabbi Eliyahu da Vidas (d. 1587)was one of the leading Mekubalim of Safed and Hebron in the early days of the Acharonim. Was a disciple of Rabbi Moshe Cordovero and also studied Torah with the Ari. A manuscript of Sefer REishit Chochmah from this period is extremely rare – especially when it contains color illustrations – a discovery that needs to be studied! [103] leaves written on both sides [more than 200 written pages]. [3] additional leaves with illustrations in their center and no text. One leaf is almost entirely missing (at the end of Sha'ar HaAnavah). 21 cm. Fair condition. Ink and dampness stains. Faded or smeared ink in several places. Non-matching cardboard cover and no binding. Loose leaves/gatherings.