Peirush al Mishnath Chassidim [Kabbalah]

(RICCHI, RAPHAEL IMMANUEL CHAI.)

Russia-Poland?

18th century

Manuscript in Hebrew, written in cursive Aschkenazic hand on paper. * Accompanied by a short study of this manuscript by Dr. Yosef Avivi.

An unpublished comprehensive commentary to the work “Mishnath Chassidim” by R. Immanuel Chai Ricchi. Mishnath Chassidim contains the order of prayers for the entire year with the Kavanoth of Rabbi Isaac Luria and further elucidations by the author. The present manuscript commences with Mafte’ach Olamoth which indeed is how the published version appears (Amsterdam 1727 et al). It concludes with a poem of all nine “Tractates” (170r) bearing an acrostic of the name “Yehudah Levi.” An additional two poems follow, the first with an acrostic: “Chazak V’Ematz Yehudah Levi Binyamin Yosepeh Aharon Hakohen ben Devorah VeYehudah Yechuna Leib.” It has not been possible as yet to determine precisely who the author of this commentary was.