Bidspirit auction | Unknown Kabbalistic Manuscript Siddur with

Unknown Kabbalistic Manuscript Siddur with the Kavanot of the Ari. Tefillah Le’Ani – Jerusalem, Early 20th Century. - Before us is a detailed kabbalistic prayer book, Tefillah Le’Ani (“Prayer of the Afflicted”), containing prayers for weekdays, Rosh Chodesh, Hanukkah, Purim, and the סדר of Counting the Omer. The manuscript is written in handsome and orderly square script. The prayer text appears in large, clear letters, while the accompanying commentaries and kavanot of the Ari are written in smaller script. The style of writing and vocalization clearly indicate that the author was among the kabbalists of Sha‘rab in southern Yemen or of Aden who later settled in Jerusalem. The writer incorporates warm and personal introductions before instructions and explanations, such as: “Know, my brother, ” “Know, my friend, ” and “Know, my beloved, ” lending the siddur the character of intimate spiritual guidance. In the prayer instituted by Chida (before the Binding of Isaac section), the author added his own moving personal supplication: “And return us in a good return to the Holy City of Jerusalem, Amen may it be Your will.” The author records precious prayers to be recited after the Amidah in order to seek mercy from the Master of Mercy. He notes that he saw them in the siddur of Maharar Saadia Tzafira, one of the great sages of Yemenite Jewry in Jerusalem, adding with humility: “So too did I, the young, poor, and lowly one, see them written in manuscript in the siddur of Maharar Saadia Tzafira… in the Ari siddur.” On the protective leaf appears the stamp of Salim Meshomer Menachem Moshe, president of the Jewish community of Aden, known as the 'Rothschild of the Jews of the East'. The presence of this seal indicates that the siddur passed from Jerusalem into the hands of one of the leading figures of Aden Jewry in that era, apparently as a gift of esteem from the author himself A rare archival and spiritual artifact, illuminating the world of the sages of Yemen and Aden in Jerusalem and their integration into the mystical teachings of the Ari. [260] pages. Excellent condition. Original leather binding.