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Siach Serafei Kodesh! Correspondence on Matters of Halacha and Kabbalah Between a Rabbi and His Disciple A letter written and signed in the holy handwriting of the great Italian Kabbalist, the divine Rabbi Moshe Zacuto (Ramaz), written to his son-in-law and disciple, the divine Kabbalist Rabbi Binyamin HaKohen (Ravach), together with the Ravach’s response to his teacher, the Ramaz – Iyar 1690 – Italian script – Never Printed! ”All my desire is to shatter the jaws of the yoke of a fool, that I may merit to save the oppressed from his oppressor.” In the first part of the letter, the Ramaz responds to his disciple, the Ravach, on matters of Kabbalah, and then continues with Yoreh De’ah on the laws of soaking meat. The final and main portion of the letter discusses a Din Torah regarding inheritance which the Ramaz was adjudicating, for which he requests that his disciple, the Ravach, assist him in obtaining a document from the guardian of the heirs, with whom he was acquainted. The Ravach responded on the verso of the same letter, stating that he attempted to obtain the requested document from the guardian’s son, but the relevant deed was not in his possession. [In this letter, the Ramaz incidentally mentions the journey of the Pri Chadash to Amsterdam to print his work there, referring to him as “HaChacham Silvah, NR”V.” ] The divine Kabbalist, “HaRav HaGadol Ir v’Kodesh” (in the words of the Chida), Rabbi Moshe Zacuto (c. 1625–1697), was among the greatest Italian Kabbalists of the 17th century. He was born in Amsterdam and, in 1645, moved to Venice, where several years later he became one of its rabbis. In 1673, he was appointed Rabbi of Mantua, where he established a prominent yeshiva and produced important disciples in both Halacha and Kabbalah (the most renowned being the Ravach, his foremost disciple). The Chida, in Shem HaGedolim, writes of the Ramaz: “The great Rav, a holy man… his wisdom and holiness are known throughout the land… he knew all six orders of Mishnah by heart…” He further records that the Ramaz had a heavenly Maggid who revealed to him the secrets of the Torah. Rabbi Gur Aryeh HaLevi (whose glosses on Shulchan Aruch were printed in Mantua, 1723) testified: “He heard the angel speaking with him.”  The Chida also writes that the Ramaz received the Kabbalah of the Arizal from Rabbi Binyamin HaLevi, disciple of Reb Chaim Vital, -  ”ולמד הרמ”ז עמו חכמת האמת וקבל ממנו סולת נקיה”. The Ramaz left behind many works in both Nigleh and Nistar, including Kol HaRemez on the Mishnah, halachic responsa, extensive correspondence with his students, a major commentary on the Zohar (parts printed in Mikdash Melech), and numerous profound Kabbalistic writings, many of which have been published in recent decades. The divine Kabbalist Rabbi Binyamin HaKohen – the Ravach (1651–1730) – was one of the great Rabbis and Kabbalists of Italy. He was the son-in-law and foremost disciple of the Ramaz, and the father-in-law of Rabbi Yeshayahu Bassan. In 1675, he became Av Beis Din of Alessandria, and in 1698, Av Beis Din of Reggio Emilia. The Chida writes of him in Shem HaGedolim: “He was renowned for piety.” He adds that Rabbi Yosef Ergas (Shomer Emunim HaKadmon), his disciple, “sat with the Ravach for seven weeks to learn Kabbalah from him.” The Ravach left in manuscript his sefer Gevul Binyamin, Derashos on the Torah and Moadim, along with other writings. His halachic responsa were cited and printed by the sages of his generation. On the reverse of the sheet is an Italian address with a red wax seal embossed with a Magen David. Folded sheet. [2] leaves. 20 cm. Good to fair condition. Restored. Folding marks.