Nachman of Breslov. Sepher HaMidoth (including Shemoth HaTzadikim) and Kitzur Likutei Mohara’n. Concludes with a piyut by Yehezkel Ezra Elia (Basa).

(CHASSIDISM)

circa

Baghdad

1850

Manuscript in Hebrew, written on paper in a cursive Sephardic hand.

Arzei Halevanon, Vol. II, p. 1045.

This manuscript is one of the fundamental texts of Breslov Chassidic thought. It represents a fascinating cultural confluence between the Jews of Eastern Europe and their spiritual-seeking peers in the Orient. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810) was one of the most pivotal and enigmatic figures within the early Chassidic Movement. His prodigious intellect and mystical charisma accounted for the intense devotion of his followers who in turn sought to spread their master’s teachings. At the time of the composition of this manuscript, none of the teachings of Breslov had yet been printed in any of the major Sephardic / Oriental population centers. Rabbi Nathan of Breslov (1780-1844), principle disciple of Rabbi Nachman, sought to spread the teachings of his master while passing through Istanbul and Alexandria while traveling to Eretz Israel. The manuscript represents an early example of R. Nathan’s legacy in this regard. Owners’ signatures include: Avraham Yosef C. Avraham (apparently the scribe); Yosef Rahamim, Ezra Avraham Shohet, Shlomo Abed Shlomo Moshe Tavene (later of Calcutta, India), and another unidentified signature. An unrecorded piyyut appears prior to the title page: “Oneh Be’eth Tzar,” with the author’s mark: “Ezra Chazak.” At the end of the volume is another piyyut: “Bathi LeGani Tsivia” by R. Ezra Elya Sofer (see Davidson, Beth-77). Provenance: The Sassoon Family (ms. no. 1300). Pasted on the endpaper is a typewritten self-dedication by one Yehoshua Meir Moshe: “This Sepher HaMidoth was gifted to me by my friend… son of the Godly Kabbalist R. Shimon Agassi, Mr. Ezra Zion Agassi.”