Bidspirit auction | Three Early and Important Kabbalistic

Three Early and Important Kabbalistic Works i Likutei Shichicha U’Peah / Sha’arei Orah / Sha’arei Tzedek Ferrara and Riva di Trento, 1556–1561 * An attractive volume containing three Kabbalistic sefarim printed in the 1500s, all first editions. Each sefer reflects the Kabbalistic teachings of Rabbi Yosef Gikatilla, one of the great Spanish Kabbalists in the generation in which the Zohar HaKadosh was revealed. 1. Likutei Shichicha U’Peah - First edition, Ferrara, 1556   An anthology of Kabbalistic writings: Leaves 1–20: Kabbalistic interpretations on Talmudic aggados by Rabbi Ezra ben Shlomo of Gerona. Leaves 21–36: Commentary by Rabbi Yosef bar Chaim on the Ten Sefiros and other mystical topics. Leaves 37–40: “Sodos” (secrets) by Rabbi Yosef Gikatilla on Kabbalistic themes. The colophon of this sefer appears on leaf 36b, and leaves 37–40 are rare and are missing in some copies. The present copy is complete and intact. 2. Sha’arei Orah – First Edition, Riva di Trento, 1561 A sefer yesod for the study of Kabbalah by Rabbi Yosef Gikatilla. Regarded as the most foundational introduction to Kabbalistic study, it explores the essence of the Ten Sefiros and the holy Divine Names. 3. Sha’arei Tzedek – First Edition, Riva di Trento, 1561 Introduction and fundamental principles in the wisdom of Kabbalah, with a particular emphasis on the Ten Sefiros, by the early Kabbalist Rabbi Yosef Gikatilla. A foundational Kabbalistic work for beginners in the study of Kabbalah. It serves as a continuation and supplement to Sha’arei Orah. Total of 3 sefarim. Page Count: Sha’arei Orah: 84 leaves; Sha’arei Tzedek: 52 leaves; Likutei Shichicha U’Peah: [2], 40 leaves. Condition: Good. Attractive copies, some stains. Fine new leather binding. Bibliography: Sha’arei Orah and Sha’arei Tzedek: Stefansky Sifrei Yesod, no. 340, in notes. Rabbi Yosef Gikatilla was a leading Kabbalist in the era of the Rishonim. He lived in Spain in the 13th century. His sefarim Sha’arei Tzedek, Sha’arei Orah and Ginas Egoz are foundational works of Kabbalah and are among the earliest post-Zohar Kabbalistic texts. The Shlah HaKadosh writes about him in his approbation to Ginat Egoz (Hanau 1615): “A holy one who speaks — this man of G-d, Rabbi Yosef Gikatilla z”l, of a previous generation, who was renowned for his greatness in Torah, in chassidus, and in incredible holiness…” - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Publication Date of Sha’arei Orah, Riva di Trento Edition In the present Sha’arei Orah, the year of printing is not recorded. However, it was printed prior to Sha’arei Tzedek, which was printed by the same printer in the same city. This is evident from the conclusion of Sha’arei Orah, where the printer expresses his hope to merit printing Sha’arei Tzedek, while at the beginning of Sha’arei Tzedek, he gives thanks for having already merited to print Sha’arei Orah. The printing of Sha’arei Tzedek was completed in the month of Elul in the year 1561, and thus Sha’arei Orah was likely printed in the preceding months. In the month of Tammuz of that same year, the printing of another edition of Sha’arei Orah was completed in the city of Mantua. Since we cannot determine the exact printing date of the Riva di Trento edition, we are unable to state which edition appeared first. It is reasonable to assume, however, that the time gap between the two editions is minimal. Regardless, since both editions were printed from different manuscripts, each holds the significance of a first edition.