Bidspirit auction | Emek HaMelech — a Kabbalistic-polemical

Emek HaMelech — a Kabbalistic-polemical work, the first book printed from the teachings of the Ari HaKadosh. Amsterdam, 1648. First printing and rare. - Sefer Emek HaMelech — one of the foundational works of the Kabbalah of the Arizal, by Reb Naftali Hertz Bachrach of Frankfurt. Here we have the first and organized presentation of the teachings of the Arizal to be brought to print; prior to this, mainly prayer books and Kabbalistic tikkunim were printed. On leaf 10a (in the first section): Shaar Maaseh Nissim of the Arizal z”l, a work of praises of the Arizal, later printed independently in many editions. It includes twelve “Mishnayos” containing details regarding the vessels of the Beis HaMikdash and their concealment. The author, a native of Frankfurt, traveled to Tzfas to study the teachings of the Arizal from the mekubalim there, and upon his return to Germany was among the first to disseminate the Kabbalah of the Arizal in Ashkenazic lands. The controversy surrounding the book: The printing of this work aroused significant controversy in the world of Kabbalah. Among its sharpest critics was Reb Chaim HaKohen of Aram Tzovah, a disciple of Reb Chaim Vital, who opposed its printing and wrote: “Who permitted anyone else to bring them to print and expose them to the insolent of heart… for the world has been handed over to fools…”. Reb Moshe Chagiz also wrote that it would have been fitting to call the book Emek HaBachah rather than Emek HaMelech. On the other hand, the work received approbations from leading Torah authorities, including Reb Yom Tov Lipman Heller, author of Tosafos Yom Tov, as well as the son of the Shelah HaKadosh and others. According to some scholars, Reb Naftali Bachrach compiled and arranged the existing pamphlets into a single structured presentation of the doctrine of Atzilus; however, its basis is not only the writings of the Arizal’s disciples, but also the writings of Mahar”i Sarug and Reb Yosef Ibn Tabul. Amsterdam, 1648. Printed by Immanuel Benveniste. First edition. Foundational work. Otzar HaSefer HaIvri 31365. Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod 362. Collation: 21, 178 [should read: 180] leaves. Renewed elegant binding. Paper repairs to title page, few wormholes with minor loss to text, stains. Good condition.