Bidspirit auction | Sefer Yesod Nagid U’Mitzvah. Shulchan

Sefer Yesod Nagid U’Mitzvah. Shulchan Aruch Ha’Ari. Amsterdam, 1712. First Edition. * Fundamental sefer presenting practical guidance for managing one’s daily schedule, praying, and fulfilling mitzvos based on the kabbalistic teachings of the Arizal. The sefer was composed by the Kabbalist Rabbi Yaakov Tzemach based on the writings of Rabbi Chaim Vital and contains his glosses.  This sefer is the source for many of the customs practiced by kabbalists.  The sefer opens (leaf 4a) with a large title: “Shulchan Aruch Al Derech Ha’emes” The last page in the sefer features a folded chart that is missing from many copies. It features the psalm LaMenatze’ach B’Neginos arranged in the form of the menorah of the Beis HaMikdash. Gedolei Hador have attributed tremendous segulos to the recitation of LaMenatze’ach written in the form of a menorah: one who recites it, “his reward is great and immense” (the Chida in the name of the masters of Kabbalah); “he will find favor and grace in the eyes of G-d and man” (the sefer Menoras Zahav Tahor of the Maharshal); and the Abudraham writes that “one who recites it daily is considered as if he lit the pure menorah in the Beis HaMikdash.” It is an ancient custom to hang the LaMenatze’ach chart on the walls of synagogues. This is apparently the reason it was printed here on a separate leaf — so that it could easily be removed — and therefore it is lacking in many copies. This is apparently the first time that the illustrated LaMenatze’ach was printed in accordance with the custom of the Kabbalah of the Ari. The sefer is among the earliest works of the Kabbalah of the Ari to be published. The second part of the sefer contains segulos, tikkunim, and wondrous teachings from Rabbi Chaim Vital. An adapted version of this sefer had previously been printed several times under the title Shulchan Aruch of the Ari. The present copy is the first edition of the original work, and it is also the first sefer printed from the writings of Rabbi Yaakov Tzemach. Amsterdam, 1712. First edition. Page Count: [2], 76; 24 leaves + [1] folded chart leaf. Size: 15.2 cm. Condition: Good; a fine copy, with negligible stains. Antique vellum binding. Bibliography: Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, no. 364. Provenance: Prime Judaica auction. — The sefer was printed by Rabbi Yosef Elyashar based on a manuscript that the Rishon LeTzion, Rabbi Avraham Yitzchaki, author of Zera Avraham, brought with him to Amsterdam while on a mission on behalf of Jerusalem (see Shem HaGedolim, entry “Nagid U’Mitzvah”).