(Traditionally Attributed to). Sepher Hazohar [the mystical “Book of Splendor”]

SHIMON B”R YOCHAI

Tzvi ben Abraham Kalonymus Jaffe

Lublin

1623

Three parts in one volume. Title within woodcut architectural arch. Opening word of each part within ornamental woodcut letters within a typographical border. Annotated in a number of 17th century Aschkenazi hands

Vinograd, Lublin 147 (JNUL copy incomplete); Mehlman 1069

The Zohar, the most classic of Jewish mystical texts, was printed amidst fierce controversy. Many among Rabbinic and Kabbalistic circles feared the printing of such an esoteric work; its meaning might be distorted by Christians in support of their faith, and the majority of Jews themselves would be confused by the implications of the Zohar’s mystical teachings. The first two editions of the Zohar were printed by competing printers in the neighboring towns of Mantua (1558-60) and Cremona (1559-60), both consulting numerous manuscripts in an attempt to establish literary accuracy. The Mantua Zohar was printed in three volumes in Rashi script, while the Cremona Zohar was printed in one large volume in square script. Consequently, these editions became known as the Zohar Katan (“Small Zohar”) and Zohar Gadol (“Large Zohar”) respectively. The present edition is the second printed in the format of the Zohar Gadol; the format favored by the Polish and German Kabbalists until the beginning of the 18th century. Most all other editions follow the Mantua format. See Scholem’s extensive article in EJ XVI, col.1194-1212