Bidspirit auction | Et HaZamir – A Collection

Et HaZamir – A Collection of Piyyutim by Rabbi Binyamin HaKohen (the Ravach). Venice, 1707. First Edition - A collection of liturgical poems and prayers for the weekdays and festivals, with kavanot (mystical meditations) according to Kabbalah, composed by Rabbi Binyamin HaKohen Vitali (the Ravach), with introductory and concluding poems by his son-in-law, Rabbi Yeshayahu ben Yisrael Ḥizkiyah Bassan, known as “Ḥatan LaMelekh.” Comprising twenty-six piyyutim, corresponding to the numerical value of the Divine Name, each composed in the spirit of Kabbalah. In several Italian communities these poems became part of the regular liturgy. Rabbi Binyamin HaKohen Vitali (the Ravach) – one of the elder rabbis of Italy, a great halachic authority and kabbalist, among the foremost scholars of his generation. He and his son-in-law Rabbi Yeshayahu Bassan were the teachers of Rabbi Moshe Ḥayim Luzzatto (the Ramḥal). Rabbi Binyamin studied Kabbalah in Venice under Rabbi Moshe Zacuto (the Ramaz), who also ordained him as a rabbi. At the same time, he studied with Rabbi Menachem Shimshon Basoli, father of Rabbi Aviad Sar Shalom Basilea. After his marriage he settled in Casale Monferrato, maintaining contact with his teacher the Ramaz through correspondence. He lived there for three years, studying Kabbalah and halacha with the kabbalist Rabbi Shimshon Baqi. In the summer of 1673 he moved to Mantua, again residing near his teachers the Ramaz and Rabbi Avraham Rovigo. In 1675 he returned to Alessandria, this time to serve as its rabbi. After the passing of the Ramaz in 1697, he became rabbi of Reggio, and was regarded throughout Italy as a leading halachic authority. Other rabbis, such as Rabbi Moshe Ḥagiz and Rabbi Shlomo Ayllon, retracted their rulings after discovering that his opinion differed from theirs. Many others addressed halachic questions to him. Among his prominent disciples were: – Rabbi Yisrael Berakhyah Fontanina, author of Mafteḥot HaZohar (Venice, 1744); – Rabbi Netanel Foa, the printer of Amsterdam; – Rabbi Shimshon Ḥayim Naḥmani, author of Zera Shimshon; – Rabbi Yeshayahu Bassan, author of She’elot u-Teshuvot Laḥmei Todah; – Rabbi Menashe Yehoshua Padua – the latter two were his sons-in-law. [24] leaves. 16 cm. Very good condition. Fine paper. Light age stains. Attractive contemporary orange cardboard binding.