Emek Ha’melech.

Naphtali Hertz ben Jacob Elchanan.

Immanuel Benveniste

Amsterdam

1648

FIRST EDITION. Title within woodcut architectural arch. Printer’s device on title (Yaari’s Printers’ Marks no. 60)

Vinograd, Amsterdam 149; Fuks, Amsterdam 222; Mehlman 1092

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)