Auction 38 · Lot 184

Sha’ar Gan Eden [kabbalah]

Estimate: $1,000–$1,500
Hammer price: $1,300

Historical auction record. Hammer prices exclude buyer’s premium and taxes.

author

LIPSCHITZ, JACOB KOPPEL.

printer

Abraham ben Isaac Izak-Elijah ben Jacob

Place

Koretz

Publication

1803

Description

FIRST EDITION. Printer’s device on title, opening words within elaborate decorative border. Spherical diagram on f.34. Three other printers marks on f. 37b. Printed on green tinted paper

references

Vinograd, Koretz 99; Tauber, Mechkarim Bibliographiyim, Defusei Koretz no. 66, pp.40-41

summary

The title-page declares the saintly Baal Shem Tov embraced the manuscript of this work after scrutinizing just a few pages. Indeed the work is replete with important approbations, including Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev and R. E.Z. Margolioth. Nevertheless, it is manifest the Kabbalah contained herein is of a Sabbathian nature with erotic overtones not found elsewhere. The author no doubt was a closet Sabbathian suggests I. Tishby - (see his Paths of Faith and Heresy [Hebrew] pp.204-26; and B. Naor, Post-Sabbatian Sabbatianism (1999) p.63)

ff. (2), 84. Light stains in places, scattered marginalia in a Sephardic hand, title repaired, some worming on a few leaves, previous owner's signature, stamp and inscription on title. Later boards. Folio

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