Amaroth Tehoroth [Kabbalah]. With commentary “Yad Yehudah” by R. Judah Leib ben Shimon.

MENACHEM AZARIAH OF FANO.

Vorst

Frankfurt a/Main

1698

First Edition. Title within fine engraved border including arches and cherubs aloft. Owner’s signature on title in Hebrew: “A gift from my brother-in-law the philanthropist Jonathan ben Moses Levi. Moses ben Elhanan Halevi of Leverdin.”

Vinograd, Frankfurt a/Main 148.

Part One of Amaroth Tehoroth, a compendium of five kabbalistic treatises by R. Menachem Azariah (RM”A) of Fano: Ma’amar Hikkur Din, Ma’amar Em Kol Hai, Ma’amar ha-Middoth, Ma’amar Olam Katan, and Ma’amar ha-Ittim. Today, this work is generally known by the title Asarah Ma’amaroth (“Ten Treatises” - although the other five treatises are missing). There are other commentaries on RM”A’s work, but Yad Yehudah remains the standard commentary. R. Menachem Azariah (1548-1620), of a well-to-do banking family in Bologna, Italy, was first a follower of the Cordoveran system of kabbalah but afterward, under the influence of an elusive figure, R. Israel Sarug, switched his allegiance to the Lurianic school. The propagation of Safedian kabbalah in Europe was largely due to his prolific efforts.