Bidspirit auction | Exalting blessings in the holy

Exalting blessings in the holy handwriting of the G-dly Kabbalist the Ramaz, the foremost of the Italian Kabbalists of his generation, for peace and tranquility and for “righteous and wholesome offspring.” בעצם ימי שמחתך ה' ישלימנה לך ויהי שלו' בחילך ושלוה באהלך... צור עולמים ישיש עליך ממרומים, יפרך וירבך בזרע צדיק ותמים וטוב לך כל הימים Letter written and signed in the holy handwriting of the foremost of the Italian Kabbalists, the G-dly Kabbalist Rabbi Moshe Zacuto (the Ramaz), written to his son-in-law and disciple, the G-dly Kabbalist Rabbi Binyamin HaKohen (the Rabach), in profound Kavanos of the Arizal — Venice, Tammuz 1672. The letter before us was printed in Igros HaRamaz (Jerusalem, 1999), pp. 133–136. The G-dly Kabbalist, ”הרב הגדול עיר וקדיש” (in the words of the Chida), Rabbi Moshe Zacuto (1625?–1697), was among the foremost Italian Kabbalists of the 17th century. Born in Amsterdam. In 1645 he settled in Venice, and some years later became one of its Rabbanim. In 1673 he was appointed Rav of Mantua, where he founded an important Yeshiva and produced eminent and renowned disciples in Halachah and Kabbalah (one of the best-known among them being the Rabach, his outstanding disciple). In his Sefer Shem HaGedolim, the Chida writes briefly, in his manner, about the Ramaz’s levels and attainments: ”הרב הגדול עיר וקדיש... חכמתו וקדושתו מודעת זאת בכל הארץ... היה יודע ששה סדרי משנה על פה... שמעתי שהיה לו מגיד משמים שגילה לו סודות התורה.” He further cites testimony from Rabbi Gur Aryeh HaLevi (whose glosses to Shulchan Aruch were printed in the Mantua 1723 edition): ”העיד ששמע המלאך הדובר בו” The Chida also writes that the Ramaz received the teachings of the Arizal from Rabbi Binyamin HaLevi, disciple of Moreinu Harav Reb Chaim Vital: ”ולמד הרמ”ז עמו חכמת האמת וקבל ממנו סולת נקיה” The Ramaz left behind many works in Nigleh and Nistar, including Kol HaRamaz on the Mishnayos, Halachic responsa, exchanged letters with his disciples, a major commentary on the Zohar (parts of which were printed in Mikdash Melech at the end of each Parashah), and many additional works in profound Kabbalah, many of which were first printed only in recent decades. On the reverse of the leaf is written in the handwriting of the Ramaz the name of the addressee, with a red wax seal bearing an engraved Magen David. [1] leaf. 20 cm. Good condition. Stains. Mounted on thin preservation paper.