Bidspirit auction | Manuscript: “Divination of the Future

Manuscript: “Divination of the Future — The Secret of the Stones of the Ḥoshen”; Israel, 19th century - A fascinating and extremely rare kabbalistic manuscript, of unique content and great significance, dealing with practical Kabbalah and divination. From its broad scope, mature style, and profound mastery of the secrets of the esoteric tradition, it is evident that the work was composed by a recognized and authoritative kabbalist of his time, not by a mere copyist. Originating in the Land of Israel, second half of the 19th century. Presented here is a veritable treasure of esoteric wisdom: a large-scale manuscript, comprising approximately 150 written pages, serving as a kind of spiritual “working tool” of a contemporary kabbalist. Its contents testify to deep command of practical Kabbalah and the sacred Divine Names. On the first page of the manuscript — in place of a title page or colophon — appears an incantation against the evil eye attributed to Rabbeinu the Ḥida (Rabbi Ḥayyim Yosef David Azulai), a detail of great importance, attesting to the traditional and reliable roots of the work and to its belonging within the Sephardic–Eretz Yisrael kabbalistic world. Throughout the manuscript appear kabbalistic diagrams and illustrations, as well as amulets for various ailments and needs. The heart of the manuscript (folios 1–39) is a unique composition, unknown in print, founded upon the mystery of the Twelve Stones of the Ḥoshen. Inspired by the model of inquiry through the Urim and Thummim worn on the breastplate of the High Priest, the author presents a complex and precise system of divinatory tables. This system is structured in an orderly format of questions and answers, intended to provide practical and detailed guidance on matters of immediate concern: marriage, livelihood, health, and personal fate. It is a broad framework comprising dozens of carefully constructed tables, enabling systematic and clear consultation. Unlike many common books of lots and divination, which content themselves with brief and vague hints, this manuscript offers a detailed, structured, and profound method, providing the user with comprehensive and directed answers — an exceedingly rare quality in works of practical Kabbalah from this period. In the second part of the manuscript (folios 40–64) appear further kabbalistic illustrations, instructions for writing amulets, and practical segulot, including amulets for difficult childbirth, for preventing miscarriages, and for other purposes — testimony to a living, applied, and operative kabbalistic tradition. This is an exceptional item, whose natural place is within a select collection of kabbalistic manuscripts. Its very possession represents a direct connection to an ancient esoteric tradition as it was practiced in the Land of Israel in the 19th century. One bound manuscript volume. Approximately 148 written pages. Hard binding. Condition: good. Age stains. Tear to the final leaf.