(Traditionally Attributed to. “Revealed” to Moses b. Shem Tov de Leon). Sepher Hazohar [the mystical “Book of Splendor”]

SHIMON B”R YOCHAI

Vincenzo Conti

Cremona

1559-1560

FIRST EDITION. Three parts in one volume. Title within elaborate garlanded and draped woodcut architectural arch.

Vinograd, Cremona 24; Benayahu, Cremona 21; not in Adams

Two issues of this edition exist. This is the second issue however the title page of the present copy which apparently exists in only one other copy (Schocken Institute, Jerusalem) belongs to the first issue.See Benayahu, Cremona pp.121-37 (illustrated). 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. Despite Conti’s judicious advertising and patronage by men of influence, the textual superiority of the Mantua version gained success and Conti’s attempts to overreach his Mantua rivals weres unsuccessful. Nevertheless, the Cremona format was favored by the Polish and German Kabbalists until the beginning of the 18th century. Most all other editions follow the Mantua format. See G. Scholem, Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism (1941) pp.156-243; Scholem’s extensive article in EJ XVI, col.1194-1212; D. Amram, The Makers of Hebrew Books in Italy (1963) pp.325-27; Carmilly-Weinberger, pp.53-55; Pierpont Morgan Library Catalogue, Hebraica from the Valmadonna Trust (1989) no. 38.