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Sefer Yesod in Arizal’s Kabbalah: Mavo Shearim by Rabbi Chaim Vital – With Glosses of Kabbalist Rabbi Shem Tov HaKohen – Salonika, 1806 * Introductions and gateways to the teachings of the Arizal by Rabbeinu Chaim Vital, the Maharchu, with glosses of Rabbi Yaakov Tzemach and the Ramaz. Sefer Mavo Shearim contains fundamental introductions to the wisdom of Kabbalah, based on the writings of Rabbi Chaim Vital, arranged by the kabbalist Rabbi Yaakov Tzemach. This sefer represents the mahadura basra , the later edition, of the writings of Rabbi Chaim Vital that were discovered in genizah, and some maintain that it is the basra d’basra , the very last and most final edition of all. This edition is the first printing of the sefer, arranged by the kabbalist Rabbi Shlomo Molcho of Salonika, Izmir, and Jerusalem, known as the “Baal HaShemanim, ” after his three sefarim: Shemen Mishchas Kodesh, Shemen Zayis Zach, and Shemen HaMor (the latter has been lost). Regarding the sefer and its editions, see below. This is a distinguished copy; throughout the leaves of the sefer are glosses, notes, and corrections in the handwriting of the kabbalist Rabbi Shem Tov HaKohen, known as “Harav Hachassid, ” one of the kabbalists of Salonika and later one of the heads of the kabbalists’ yeshiva, Beis El. He passed away in 1888. For more on him, see Min HaGenazim vol. 12, pp. 400-401. One gloss is signed: “אש”ט [Amar Shem Tov]” – Shem Tov said. To the best of Zaidy’s knowledge, these glosses have never previously been known nor been printed. Salonika, 1806. First edition of this version. Page Count: [1], 176 leaves. Size : 19.7 cm. Condition : Good. A fine copy. One leaf with a lacking corner affecting several words. Antique leather binding with fine embossing. Bibliography : Rabbi Yosef Avivi, Kabbalas HaAri, vol. II, pp. 791-792. Zaidy Auction House would like to thank Rabbi Moshe Hillel shlita for his assistance in identifying the author of the glosses. - - - - - - - - - - - Sefer Mavo Shearim Sefer Mavo Shearim, also known as Toldos Adam, is one of the most important works in the Kabbalah of the Arizal. Several different “editions” are known, arranged by Rabbi Chaim Vital, and later by Rabbi Yaakov Tzemach, Rabbi Nosson Shapira, Rabbi Moshe Zacuto, and Rabbi Shlomo Molcho. In Koritz, 1783, an edition arranged by Rabbi Yaakov Tzemach, Rabbi Nosson Shapira, and the Ramaz was printed (Rabbi Yosef Avivi no. 1003). It differs from the present edition, to which the arrangement of Rabbi Shlomo Molcho was also added (Rabbi Yosef Avivi no. 1110). In his article in Moriah, Rabbi Yosef Avivi writes: “The differences between the two versions are not substantial, yet attention should nevertheless be paid to them, and the two aforementioned printings should be regarded as two independent first editions” (Year 10, issue 7-8, Sivan 1981, p. 89). The importance of Sefer Mavo Shearim among the kabbalists can be understood from the words of the holy Rashash, who declared: “My witnesses are in Heaven that all my occupation and study are devoted solely to the teachings of the Arizal and his disciple, the Maharchu… Therefore I come not to warn, but merely to remind… that all their learning should be focused only in Etz Chaim, Sefer Mavo Shearim, and in the well-known Shemonah Shearim, for all of them are the words of the living G-d” (Nahar Shalom of the Rashash, leaf 34a).