Bidspirit auction | Autograph Leaf in the Holy

Autograph Leaf in the Holy Handwriting of Rabbi Chaim Vital – From Sefer Ha-Peulot. Practical Kabbalah and Alchemy - An exceedingly important and rare leaf, entirely in the holy handwriting of Rabbi Chaim Vital himself, containing passages from Sefer Ha-Peulot — a compendium of segulot (mystical remedies), practical Kabbalah, and alchemical instructions for the purification of metals. The present leaf is written in Rabbi Chaim Vital’s own hand (autograph) and includes erasures and corrections in his handwriting, providing direct evidence of his process of composition and refinement. We thus have before us an authentic and tangible remnant from the world of the foremost kabbalist of Safed and the primary transmitter of the teachings of the Ari. Among the subjects appearing on the leaf: A remedy for removing sorcery through the writing of a talisman, its heating in fire and extinguishing in water; determining the hour by means of a gold ring suspended within a copper vessel; revelation of one’s destined spouse in a dream on the eve of Rosh Chodesh; protection while traveling through verses and sacred Divine Names with specific intentions; various medical segulot; and extensive sections on alchemy — purification of tin and lead, rectification of ammonium salt (nishadir), preparation of egg-yolk oil, and the distinction between processes for “whitening” (producing silver) and for “reddening” (producing gold). The text reflects the world of practical Kabbalah in the generation following the Ari — a synthesis of sacred Names and mystical intentions together with the use of the elements of nature (fire, water, air) and physical substances, rooted in the conception of spiritual influence upon material reality. Rabbi Chaim Vital (1542–1620), the greatest disciple of the Ari, was the one who transmitted his master’s teachings to subsequent generations. It is well known that the Ari did not permit his disciples to record his teachings, granting this privilege solely to Rabbi Chaim Vital, as only he was capable of grasping their full depth. The Ari is also said to have declared that his very descent into this world was for the purpose of teaching Kabbalah to Rabbi Chaim Vital — a rare expression of his unique stature in the transmission of the Ari’s esoteric doctrine. [1] Single leaf, 19.5 × 15 cm. Written on both sides; each page arranged in two columns. Autograph, with corrections in his own hand. Very good condition. Bound in an elegant modern leather binding.