Manuscript, Kabbalah of the Arizal, Segulot and Amulets – Morocco, 18th/19th Century

Manuscript, Kabbalah of the Arizal, Segulot and Amulets – Morocco, 18th/19th Century

Manuscript, anthology of kabbalah of the Arizal, Segulot and amulets. [Morocco, ca. late 18th or early 19th century].

Western script, written by several copyists.

The anthology includes kabbalistic studies, most paralleling the contents of Otzrot Chaim, with differences of ordering and phrasing: Derushei Adam Kadmon (corresponding to Otzrot Chaim from beginning until Shaar Reish Pei Chet Nitzotzin), Derush Mochin DeTzelem, Derush Aron VeKaporet, Derush HaOnaah, Derush Tlat Reishin, Derush HaAbia UMakifeihem, Derush Miut HaYareach and Derush Kise HaKavod, Shaar Derush Reish Pei Chet Nitzotzin, Shaar Orot Nitzotzin VeKelim, Derush HaMochin DeKatnut ViYenikah VeGadlutam DiZe'er Anpin.

On leaf 116: "Pidyon Nefesh transmitted from the writings of the Arizal".

Beginning on leaf 121, commentary on Idra Zuta by the Arizal.

On leaves 145-163 – Derech Yesharah, selected Segulot, cures and amulets from the writings of the Arizal and other sources (at top of leaf 145: "With the help of G-d… I begin to write Derech Yesharah"; on leaf 149, another opening line: "And with the help of Heaven, we will begin to write Derech Yesharah, where you will find several wonderful Segulot…"). Includes Holy Names and names of angels, hashbaot and formulas for amulets (on last page, Star of David symbol). This work is lacking at the end.

Ownership inscription on blank leaf at beginning of manuscript: "So says the young one, permanently indentured to the Rock, Shlomo son of… R. Yaakov Abensour…" – this inscription is handwritten by R. Shlomo Eliyahu Abensour, son of R. Yaakov Abensour the second (grandson of the Yaavetz), during his youth, in his father's lifetime (his father passed away in 1840, when he was about 18 years old).

One (or more) of the copyists may have been a Torah scholar of the Abensour family or of the environs, but further investigation is necessary to identify the handwritings.

[158] leaves (lacking at end). 18.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, tears and wear. Worming, mainly to inner margins, slightly affecting text. Detached leaves and gatherings. Placed in new binding (detached) with matching case.

Provenance:

1. The Abensour Family Collection, Fez, Morocco.

2. The Victor Klagsbald Collection – Morocco, no. 4.

Reference: Victor Klagsbald, Catalogue des manuscrits marocains de la collection Klagsbald, Paris, 1980, pp. 22-23.