Bidspirit auction | Manuscript Mevo She’arim by Rabbi

Manuscript Mevo She’arim by Rabbi Chaim Vital Particularly Important Manuscript with Glosses and “Ilanos” in the Handwriting of Rabbi Sasson Mordechai Shanduch, a Leading Kabbalist of Baghdad! Aram Tzovah Region, c. 1730–1740 * A large and voluminous manuscript of over 730 written pages – the sefer Mevo She’arim by Rabbi Chaim Vital, which, as its title indicates, is an “introduction” and preface to the wisdom of Kabbalah, based on the discourses of his teacher, the Arizal. Mevo She’arim is one of the most important works in the Kabbalah of the Arizal. Multiple different “editions” of it are known, the earliest prepared by Rabbi Chaim Vital himself, and later edited by Rabbi Yaakov Tzemach (the present version), and Rabbi Nosson Shapira. The present copy is the most complete and meticulously proofread copy of the sefer, in its middle edition which is the most comprehensive version (see attached research). A rare manuscript, featuring two large “Sefirah diagrams” extant in just a few copies - one by Rabbi Chaim Vital and one by Rabbi Yaakov Tzemach. These diagrams were prepared separately from the main body of the text, as they required meticulous drawing. They do not even appear in Rabbi Yaakov Tzemach’s own manuscript copy of this sefer. This copy is of exceptional importance, having belonged to the holy sage, the kabbalist Rabbi Sasson Mordechai Shanduch, known as Chacham Sasson Ajami - one of the leading kabbalists of Iraq! His signature appears at the beginning of the manuscript, and throughout the manuscript he recorded dozens of glosses in his fine handwriting. He also included early sketches of the complex Ilan HaSefiros (“Tree of the Sefiros”), which he published in his sefer Ilanah DeChayei. His signature appears on leaf 1a: “HaTza’ir Sasson Mordechai Moshe.” In two places, the signatures of his son, Rabbi Mordechai, appear, noting that he had borrowed the sefer from his father. From the abundance of handwritten notes throughout the manuscript, it is evident that this was the main sefer he used in his early study of the Arizal’s Kabbalah! Chacham Sasson ben Mordechai ben Moshe Shanduch (d. 1830) was one of the greatest sages and kabbalists of Iraq and renowned as a miracle-worker through the use of practical Kabbalah. “The elders who sat at the gates recount wonders about him, for they saw with their own eyes the miracles wrought through Divine and practical Kabbalah” - so writes Rabbi Ben Tzion Chazan in describing the saintly Kabbalist. He authored many works, some of which have survived in manuscript and others which have only recently been published. In addition to his Kabbalistic pursuits, he served as a posek and dayan alongside his friend Rabbi Moshe Chaim (grandfather of the Ben Ish Chai), as well as a shaliach tzibbur and composer of liturgical poetry. He was also artistically gifted, as is evident in his beautiful handwriting, and David Sassoon testified that he had seen a paroches (ark curtain) crafted by Chacham Sasson himself! The Ben Ish Chai recounts a miraculous story in which, through secluded meditative yichudim and focused kavanos over several days, Chacham Sasson removed a “klipah” (impure spiritual force) that had settled over Baghdad. (Ben Yehoyada, vol. II, 25a; ibid. vol. IV, 33b). Beyond its intrinsic significance in terms of textual accuracy and illustrious provenance, this manuscript is exceedingly rare in and of itself, for two reasons: 1. It is exceedingly rare to find Kabbalistic works that were in Iraq at such an early period, since most were destroyed in the frequent natural disasters that struck the region (as noted by the Ben Ish Chai - see the introduction to Marpeh LaNefesh, Ahavat Shalom, Jerusalem 2023). 2. The majority of the manuscripts of Rabbi Sasson Shanduch were burnt in Baghdad in 1861. Thus, this manuscript is a surviving remnant of his vast Torah writings. Region of Aram Tzovah, c. 1730–1740. Page Count: [370] leaves, comprising approximately [735] written pages. Condition: Generally good. Tears with some loss on four leaves; several leaves have been reinforced. Fine binding with leather spine and corners. Additional signatures at the beginning of the sefer: “HaTza’ir Aharon Sasson ben Harav Yaakov, may he live and be well.” Also includes several unidentified signatures by a sage named “Yisrael.” The above was written based on the detailed assessment of Rabbi Moshe Hillel, a leading scholar of the esteemed Ahavat Shalom institute and editor of the Min HaGenazim series. Many thanks to him. The title ”Sefer Toldos Adam” is inscribed at the beginning of the work. This is the name first given to it by Rabbi Yaakov Tzemach. Later, the title was expanded to: “Sefer Etz Chaim, called [Sefer Toldos Adam], which is Mevo She’arim”. This expanded title was likely added after the manuscript was compared and corrected based on a secondary copy prepared by Rabbi Nosson Shapira, in which the work was titled Etz Chaim.