Nagid U'Metzaveh [anthology of Lurianic customs for daily prayers and rituals]

ZEMAH, JACOB BEN HAYYIM

Verona

1717

Manuscript on paper. Italian cursive script with square headings. Title within decorative arch, library stamps

The author, one of the foremost Lurianic Kabbalists, studied in Safed and Damascus under the tutelage of Rabbi Shmuel ben Rabbi Chaim Vital. His works remain highly important due to their contribution to the literary consolidation of Lurianic Kabbalah as well as his citations of contemporary Kabbalists. This work is an especially significant anthology of Lurianic customs which served as the basis for the "Shulchan Aruch shel Ha'Ari." Scholars have noted that the manuscript version is textually much longer than the printed version. (See Chida, Shem Hagedolim, Maarechet Seforim, who states that his teacher R.A. Yitzchaki, "left out all the deep parts" in the published version). He states that Zemah wrote both a long and short version and even the short version was not published completely. G. Scholem stated that "As regards Luria's personality, it is fortunate that Vital...jotted down hundreds of personal traits...(many collected in) Nagid U'Mezaveh." (Major Trends, p.255, note 2a) See also Scholem's article "Letoldot hamekubal R. Yaakov Zemah U'Peulato Hasifrutit", Kiryat Sefer 1950, Vol 26, pp. 185-194 and I. Sonne's comments "Leklaster Panav shel Rabbi Yaakov Zemach", KS 1951, Vol 27, 97-106 and Scholem's rejoinder, ibid p. 107-109