(Traditionally attributed to). Zohar [Chadash]…Umedrash Hane’elam [kabbalah]

SHIMON B”R YOCHAI.

Joseph Abraham Bat-Sheva

Salonika

1597

First Edition. Title within decorative floral border. Divisional title. Two parts in one volume.

Vinograd, Salonika 144; not in Adams; JNUL copy incomplete

There is evidence of some competition between the two sons of Mattathias Bat-Sheva who inherited his Press following his death. Indeed, a number of the thirty books printed by the Bat-Sheva Printing House, of which this work is one, bears the name of Joseph Abraham alone as the printer. See Y. Mehlman, Genuzoth Sefarim pp. 74 and 81. This edition contains an insightful introduction contributing to the debate surrounding the identity of the compiler of the Zohar Chadash and providing an historically significant account of how the text was prepared. The compiler of the Zohar Chadsh is identified as Abraham Halevi Beruchim (author of Tikunei Shabbath), a disciple of Moses Cordovero and Isaac Luria. The introduction also recounts how the caves in and around Safed.were combed, seeking “missing” parts of the Zohar. Also includes an account of the failed attempts to publish the Zohar Chadash until it met with fruition in the present edition.