Bidspirit auction | Sifsei Kohen by Rabbi Mordechai

Sifsei Kohen by Rabbi Mordechai HaKohen of Tzfat. First Edition. Venice, 1605. * Sifsei Kohen is a commentary on the Torah, presenting beautiful pshat interpretations, original gematrios, pearls of wisdom, and hidden teachings for those knowledgeable in the path of truth. It was authored by the elderly gaon and kabbalist Rabbi Mordechai HaKohen of Tzfat and Aleppo , one of the sages of Eretz Yisrael who merited to live during the era of the towering giants of Torah in Tzfat: the Beis Yosef, the Arizal, and his primary rebbi, Rabbi Yisrael di Curiel, who was one of the four geonim who received semichah from Rabbi Yaakov Beirav, and was the grandfather of the poet Rabbi Yisrael Najara. This is an important sefer of drush, frequently cited in the writings of darshanim, and is commonly known as “The Shach on the Torah” (to distinguish it from the halachic work of Rabbi Shabsai HaKohen, author of HaShach). The sefer follows all four methods of Torah study – pshat, remez, drush, and sod (simple explanations, allusions, deeper meanings, and kabbalistic Torah) - collectively known as ‘Pardes.’ In one place, the author writes, “I have no permission to explain, and understand this well” (leaf 329b, which is Kuntres 55, leaf 4). Following the chiddushim on each parshah are gematrios that the author derived from a manuscript attributed to Rabbeinu Shimshon, namely, Rabbi Shimshon of Coucy, an early Rishon in France. A thick volume, comprising more than 650 pages in a large format. Venice, 1605. First edition. Page Count: [334] leaves, with pagination errors. Size: 29 cm. Condition : Good to good-fair. Stains (in several leaves the stains are dark). Wear and light tears along the margins of some leaves.