Emek Ha’melech.

AUCTION 12 | Tuesday, March 13th, 2001 at 1:00

Important Hebrew Printed Books and Manuscripts From the Library of the London Beth Din

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Lot 224

Naphtali Hertz ben Jacob Elchanan.

Emek Ha’melech.

FIRST EDITION. Title within woodcut architectural arch. Printer’s device on title (Yaari’s Printers’ Marks no. 60) ff. 21, 175 (i.e. 180). Stains in places, gently damp-wrinkled, clean tear on title repaired. Recent morocco- backed boards, gently rubbed along spine. Folio Vinograd, Amsterdam 149; Fuks, Amsterdam 222; Mehlman 1092

Amsterdam: Immanuel Benveniste 1648

Est: $500 - $700

PRICE REALIZED $750

One of the most important comprehensive systematic kabbalistic works. R. Naphtali used many sources, relying especially on Israel Sarug, one of the major disciples of Isaac Luria (the AR”I). Its publication caused some conternation among the disiples of Chaim Vital, who questioned its reliability. However, Shem Ha’gedolim (under the title R. Zadok Ha’kohen of Lublin) dismisses most of their objections. See Sepher Ha’zichronoth, (Warsaw, 1929) p.24). Dispite the objections raised, the detail and clarity of the Emek Ha’melech exerted profound influence on both R. Shne’or Zalman, the founder of Chabad, and the disciples of the Gaon of Vilna, who quote from it extensively. The Emek Ha’melech also exerted influence upon R. Moses Chaim Luzzato (RaMCHa”L)