Bidspirit auction | Manuscript. Treasury of Rare Kabbalistic

Manuscript. Treasury of Rare Kabbalistic Commentaries on Songs and Liturgical Poems – by an Unknown Author. Yemen, dated 1853. - A rare and highly important Yemenite manuscript containing unique kabbalistic interpretations of poems and piyutim, together with literary compositions and poetic correspondence of major sages and mystics of Yemen. Commentary on Maskil Shir Yedidut by Rabbi Yihya Qorah The well-known commentary of Rabbi Yihya Qorah on the poem of Rabbi Shalom Shabazi. The present manuscript contains a continuation of the commentary missing from the printed edition (Diwan Chafetz Chaim, Jerusalem, 1993), thereby completing the author’s text. Also included are kabbalistic interpretations to the piyutim: Barak Bariq al-Hama, Ayhu Tzvi al-Sharod, and Sharad Manami Awahaji al-Hur. Commentary on Bar Yochai by Rabbi Yosef ben Saadiah (dated 1853) A broad kabbalistic and allegorical commentary on the famous hymn Bar Yochai Nimshachta Ashrecha. At the beginning appears a lengthy introduction by the author, Rabbi Yosef ben Saadiah, describing how he found the manuscript in Aden in the satchel of the honorable Shilah Yosef. The author writes of himself: “For my soul is bound to the soul of Kabbalah... I therefore resolved to compose some explanations on the piyut Bar Yochai, great of luminaries.” He signs his words on Monday, 27 Shevat 1853, in the town of al-Garwah in the land of Haraz. Poetic Works and Correspondence The second section of the manuscript contains poetic compositions by Yosef Alitim, Avraham ben Tzadok, and Hassan al-Sharabi. A major portion of the collection is devoted to the poetic correspondence between the poet Mari Yosef Alitim and Rabbi Hassan al-Sharabi (Mari Yafet ben Avraham Ta‘izzi), grandfather of the famed kabbalist Rabbi Mordechai Sharabi. This literary exchange, often conducted through allegory, hints, and riddles, includes poems such as: Yaqul al-Sha‘ir al-Wathiq fi al-Khaliq Qum Ya Rasul wa Ahdir li Khabri Atchil Shevach El Chai VeNora Alongside these appears Rabbi Hassan al-Sharabi’s response, as well as the poem Ahuv Libi Asher Shalach BeMichtav, referring to valuable questions and riddles exchanged between the two sages. Historical Importance Hassan al-Sharabi (born circa 1842 in Ta‘izz, Shar‘ab district) was regarded as one of the great kabbalists and foremost poets of later Shar‘ab. A charismatic preacher and spiritual leader, he traveled among communities delivering sermons that lasted for hours. He was the grandfather of Rabbi Mordechai Sharabi. Yosef Alitim (“the Orphan”) was among the leading sages and mystics of southern Yemen in the nineteenth century, revered for asceticism, piety, and profound mastery of esoteric wisdom. His poetry, saturated with deep kabbalistic allusions, became central to the spiritual and literary heritage of Yemenite Jewry. A manuscript of exceptional value for the study of Yemenite Kabbalah, Hebrew-Arabic poetry, and the intellectual history of southern Yemenite Jewry. [86] pages. Rare and highly important manuscript. Condition: Good. Old binding in pleasing condition.