Bidspirit auction | Kabbalah from the Teachings of

Kabbalah from the Teachings of the Ari, 17th Century [circa 1640] – Unpublished Manuscripts - A collection of rare and unpublished Kabbalistic writings from the teachings of the Ari and his disciples. Pages 1-8: A section from 'Sefer HaDerushim' compiled by Rabbi Binyamin HaLevi and Rabbi Elisha Guashtala from the writings of Rabbi Chaim Vital. This section has never been published. At the beginning of these pages, the title reads: ”Matters of wondrous secrets regarding reincarnations and great principles from the Ari of blessed memory, as well as the matter of the Golden Calf that Israel made.” Pages 9-11: A section from 'Derush HaTaninim' by Rabbi Yosef Ibn Tabul. This homily was only published in recent years, and it has not been verified whether the text here differs from the printed version [see: Rabbi Moshe Hillel, 'Derush HaTaninim' by Rabbi Yosef Ibn Tabul – The Long and Short Versions, 'Min HaGenazim', Fourth Book (2015), pp. 1-25]. Following page 8, a missing section appears to be the end of 'Sefer HaDerushim' and the beginning of 'Derush HaTaninim'. [11] leaves. 19.5 cm. Oriental script on high-quality paper. 17th century [circa 1640]. Condition: Very good. Some stains, minor wormholes. Simple binding. Background – The 600 Leaves of Rabbi Chaim Vital’s Writings on the Teachings of the Ari. In the 16th century, a unique group of Kabbalists formed in Safed, led by the Ari and his foremost disciple, Rabbi Chaim Vital. After the Ari's passing, Rabbi Chaim zealously guarded his master's writings and refused to share them with others. However, when Rabbi Chaim fell ill, the wealthy Kabbalist Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Nun seized the opportunity. He bribed Rabbi Moshe, Rabbi Chaim’s brother, who managed to remove 600 leaves from the Ari’s manuscripts. Rabbi Yehoshua copied these pages, allowing the Ari’s teachings to begin spreading among Kabbalists. From these writings, four prominent Kabbalists—Rabbi Ephraim Panzieri, Rabbi Binyamin HaLevi, Rabbi Elisha Guashtala, and Rabbi Malkiel Ashkenazi—compiled three important books: *Sefer HaDerushim*, *Sefer HaLikutim*, and *Sefer HaKavanot*. One of the leading Kabbalists of that era was Rabbi Binyamin HaLevi, born in Safed around the year 1590. He studied under Rabbi Chiya Rofeh, a disciple of Rabbi Chaim Vital, and also learned from other renowned Kabbalists such as the Maharam Alsheich and Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz. In 1656, he was sent to Italy as an emissary from Safed, where he disseminated the Ari’s teachings and transmitted his knowledge to many disciples, including Rabbi Moshe Zacuto. Another significant figure was Rabbi Yosef Ibn Tabul, originally from North Africa. He immigrated to Safed and studied directly under the Ari. After his teacher’s passing in 1572, he remained in Safed and continued to spread Kabbalistic teachings. Among his students were Rabbi Shimshon Bak and Rabbi Yisrael Binyamin.