Maggid Meisharim [mystical diary in the form of a Kabbalistic-homiletical commentary to the Pentateuch and other passages as revealed by a heavenly Maggid]
AUCTION 43 |
Thursday, April 02nd,
2009 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Hebrew Printed Books, Manuscripts, Graphic & Ceremonial Art
Lot 167
KARO, JOSEPH
Maggid Meisharim [mystical diary in the form of a Kabbalistic-homiletical commentary to the Pentateuch and other passages as revealed by a heavenly Maggid]
Venice: Vendramin per Francesco Vieceri 1649
Est: $1,500 - $1,800
Karo’s presumed authorship of this kabbalistic-homiletical commentary on the Pentateuch, has inspired contoversy due to the esoteric nature of his “maggidic” manifestations. See Z. Werblowsky, Joseph Karo Lawyer and Mystic (1977), pp. 4-6 & 9-12; on the development of the text, see ibid. pp. 24-37.
The first (incomplete) volume of this work was published in Lublin in 1646 with the second part containing additional material published here for the first time. The work is a major source for our knowledge of the state of pre-Lurianic Kabbalah after the expulsion from Spain and before the advent of the Ar"i.
Concerning the date of publication, Steinschneider, Zedner, Ben Yaakov and Friedberg state1654-55. However, Yudlov dates it as 1649