(Gerondi, sic.) - (Attributed to). Ma’arecheth Ha'Elokuth [Kabbalah]

PERETZ BEN ISAAC HAKOHEN

Meir ben Ephraim of Padua & Partner

Mantua

1558

Second edition. With two commentaries, the anonymous "Paz" and commentary by Judah Chayat. On f. 2r. manuscript list of Chassidim and their spouses in need of prayers (evidently, the book was once the property of a Chassidic Rebbe.) Marginalia on f. 123.

Vinograd, Mantua 52; Adams P-667

Significant Kabbalistic work due to its systematic treatment of all relevant themes in earlier literature. Its contribution to speculative mystic theory in pre-Zoharite Kabbalistic literature, is the increased symbolism of the Sephiroth, as well as the “Adam Kadmon” theory, whereby the likeness of the order of the Divine Powers of the Sephiroth to the human body is explored. See G. Scholem, On the Problems of Sepher Ma’arecheth Ha'Elokuth and its Commentaries, in: Kiryat Sefer, Vol. 21 (1944) pp. 284-95. Judah Chayat’s introduction contains a detailed autobiographical account of the expulsion of Jews from Portugal, describing his own trials and tribulations including capture by pirates. The final part of his introduction recommends works one should study and those unsuitable and full of errors. Chayat reserves particular criticism for Abraham Abulafia, whose works he describes as “figments of a vain imagination.” See G. Scholem, On the Problems of Sepher Ma’aricheth Ha’Elokuth and Its Commentaries, in Kiryat Sefer Vol. 21 (1944) pp. 284-95.