Auction 68
Lot 141:
Sefer Kelach (קל"ח) Pitchei Chochmah by the Kabbalist Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (the Ramchal) with 138 rules for understanding Kabbalah. The book is an introduction to the Kabbalistic book Etz Chaim by the Ari. Like the other works of the Ramchal, this work too is clear and orderly, introducing Rabbeinu’s method in interpreting the Ari’s Kabbalah, which s based on 138 (קל"ח) basic assumptions, Pitchei Chochmah. First edition of this basic work on which HaGra’s Kabbalah is based.
First edition – Koretz, 1785. 116 leaves. The last leaf of this copy is completed with a photocopy. In the National Library, the book appears in the Rare Book Collection. Stefansky Sifrei Yesod 370/ At its beginning, a lengthy introduction by Rabbeinu titled Sefer Derech Etz Chaim, which is often studied as a work of itself.
Chassidic edition!
Amazingly, the first time the book was published was by the recommendation of leading Chassidic rabbis. On verso of the title page, an approbation by the Admor Rabbi Yaakov Yosef ben Yehuda (Rav Yeivi – one of the leading disciples of the Maggid of Mezeritch) of Ostroh and by the Gaon Rabbi Moshe Yom Tov ben Yitzchak Dayan of Koretz. In the editor’s foreword, he cites Rav Yeivi: …ששמע מפה קדוש… מור"ר דוב מ"מ דק"ק [המגיד] מעזריטש שאמר על המחבר הזה שאין דורו היו כדאי להבין צדקתו ופרישותו... מגודל חסרון דעתם דברו על צדיק עתק אשר לא כדת… כי לא כן משה עבדי בכל ביתי נאמן הוא…". It should be noted that this foreword is rare and was omitted from some copies (see below) apparently by the orders of the censor.
According to the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book, there are copies with "לוצטאו" written on their title page and which do not include the editor’s foreword. However, on the title page of this copy, "לוצטאו" is written and it does contain the foreword.
New binding. Some restorations to the title page and some other leaves. Leaf 14 is with open tears to its upper edges, affecting the heading. Creases. The alst leaf is a photocopy as stated. Good overall condition.
On the upper part of the title page, an ancient notation: "באקשט".
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