Bidspirit auction | Shivchei Ha’Ari. Jerusalem, 1864. Rare.

Shivchei Ha’Ari. Jerusalem, 1864. Rare. Shivchei Ha’Ari, recounting the praises of Moreinu HaRav Rabbi Yitzchak Luria Ashkenazi and the greatness of his eminent disciple Moreinu HaRav Reb Chaim Vital. 'על מכבש הדפוס משאת משה הי”ו ויהודית נשמתה בגנזי מרומים' Printed by Yisrael Bak, Jerusalem, 1864. Rare. 24 leaves, with two title pages, the text of the second title page following the Lviv 1850 edition. With illustrations of the city of Zion, the Western Wall, the Har Habayis, and the Me’aras Hamachpelah. The printer, Rabbi Yisrael Bak (1797–1874), immigrated from Berdichev (Ukraine) to Safed in 1832 and established a Hebrew printing press that provided livelihood for dozens of families. Two years later, the press was destroyed during the Peasants' Revolt. The press was rebuilt and resumed operation until the great earthquake of 1837, which devastated most of the city and destroyed the printing house. Following this, Rabbi Yisrael Bak moved to Jerusalem and, in 1841, established the city's first Hebrew printing press with the assistance of Sir Moses Montefiore, who donated the printing press known as 'משאת משה ויהודית.' Simple binding, light stains. Good condition.