Auction 49 · Lot 253

(Attributed to). Ma’arecheth Ha’Elo-huth [Kabbalah]. Includes commentary by the Italian mystic Judah Chayat and another (see below)

Estimate: $1,000–$1,500
Hammer price: $3,000

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

author

PERETZ BEN ISAAC HAKOHEN.

printer

Abraham ibn Usque

Place

Ferrara

Publication

1557

Description

FIRST EDITION. Printer’s device on title (Hebrew Printers' Marks 20). Kabbalistic diagrams. A crisp, wide-margined copy

references

Vinograd, Ferrara 49 (mispaginated); Adams 668 (lacks introduction)

summary

One of the most significant works on the Kabbalah due to its systematic treatment of all relevant themes found in earlier literature. Its’ contribution to speculative mystic theory in pre-Zoharite Kabbalistic literature, is the increased symbolism of the Sephiroth. The author quotes a multitude of names by which each Sephirah is known, signifying its’ differing function. He also develops the Adam Kadmon theory, whereby the likeness of the order of the Divine Powers of the Sephiroth to the human body is explored. Regarding the unidentified commentary, see: On the Problem of Sepher Ma’arecheth Ha’Elo-huth and Its Commentaries, in: Gershom Scholem, Studies in Kabbalah I, pp. 171-88

ff. (6), 286. Mispaginated (as in most copies) but complete. Inscription of previous owner on title, scattered marginalia in an Italian hand, some staining on a few leaves, slight worming on inner margin of a few leaves repaired, with bookplate of previous owner. Recent half morocco. 4to

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