Vital, Chaim. Sepher ha-Gilgulim [Book of Transmigrations]. Contains contributions by Rabbi Meir Eisenstadt (R. Meir E”SH).

Sepher ha-Gilgulim contains the Lurianic doctrine concerning the reincarnation of souls, as recorded by Rabbi Hayim Vital, Luria’s most eminent disciple. In the intricate lineages envisioned by Rabbi Isaac Luria, most souls can be traced back to either Cain or Abel. This work is to be differentiated from the other volume on the subect by the same author, Sha’ar ha-Gilgulim (Jerusalem, 1863), one of the Shemonah She’arim (Eight Gates) that make up the Lurianic codex. This does not mean that our work Sepher ha-Gilgulim is any less authoritative. According to Joseph Avivi, Sha’ar ha-Gilgulim was edited by R. Samuel Vital, son of R. Hayyim Vital, while Sepher ha-Gilgulim was redacted by R. Nathan Spira. Avivi, Binyan Ariel (Jerusalem, 1987), p. 48. The first published work of Hayim Vital. The rabbis of Frankfurt took offense to the work’s kabbalistic erotic imagery and opposed its publication due to the Sabbatian movement which still raged rampant. Consequently, the editor, David Gruenhut, a renowned kabbalist and talmudist in his own right, commissioned gentile printers, over whom the rabbis had no influence, to issue the text. See M. Waxman, Vol. II, pp. 417-418. FOR MORE DETAILS CONCERNING BIO. OF DAVID GRUENHUT, SEE SUMMARY TO BINYAN SHLOMO