(Attributed to). Ma’arecheth Ha’Elo-huth [Kabbalah]. With two commentaries, the anonymous “Pa’Z” and Judah Chayat.

PERETZ BEN ISAAC HAKOHEN

Meir ben Ephraim of Padua & Jacob of Gozzalo

Mantua

1558

Second edition. Title within architectural arch.

Vinograd, Mantua 52.

Judah Chayat’s introduction contains an autobiographical account of the expulsion of Jews from Portugal, recounting his own trials and tribulations including capture by pirates. He describes his suffering at the hands of Arabs while in the Barbary States. His wife died there of hunger, while he himself toiled for a “thin slice of bread not fit for a dog.” Chayut eventually reached Italy, where he composed this commentary with the encouragement of Joseph Ya’avetz. See G. Scholem, On the Problems of Sepher Ma’arecheth Ha’Elo-huth and its Commentaries, in: Kiryat Sefer Vol. 21 (1944) pp. 284-95.