Manuscript, Siddur Kavanot HaRashash – Written by Rabbi Yedidya Refael Abulafia – Jerusalem, 19th Century – Copy of ...

Manuscript, Siddur Kavanot HaRashash – Written by Rabbi Yedidya Refael Abulafia – Jerusalem, 19th Century – Copy of Rabbi Yitzchak Bounan

Manuscript, Siddur Kavanot HaRashash, prayers for weekdays and Rosh Chodesh, scribed by the kabbalist R. Yedidya Refael Abulafia (HaYareh). [Jerusalem, 19th century].
Kavanot for the weekday Arvit prayer, the Shacharit prayer (from after the cantor's repetition until the end), Rosh Chodesh prayers, and for the cemetery.
This siddur was copied in the distinct hand of R. Yedidya Refael Abulafia.
The siddur later came into the possession of R. Yitzchak Bounan of Tunisia who immigrated to Jerusalem (shortly before the passing of R. Abulafia). A gilt inscription on a piece of leather mounted to the binding reads: "Prayer part IV, Yitzchak Bounan". This inscription indicates that the present siddur was one of four parts which were in the possession of R. Yitzchak Bounan.
R. Yedidya Refael Abulafia – known as HaRav HaYareh (1807-1869), prominent kabbalist and grandson of the Rashash. He served as dean of the Beit El yeshiva of kabbalists in Jerusalem from 1848 until his passing, and was one of the prominent editors of Siddur HaRashash. His disciples include the sons of Rabbe Moshe of Lelov; the Imrei Binah Rabbi of Jerusalem (who instituted the ban on playing musical instruments at weddings upon his advice); R. Shalom Moshe Chai Gagin, who succeeded him as dean of the Beit El yeshiva; and others.
The owner of the manuscript, R. Yitzchak Bounan, signed as witness and scribe in the Pinkas of the Portuguese community in Tunis in ca. 1840-1860 (see: Avrahami, Le Mémorial de la communauté israélite portugaise de Tunis, p. 151). In his final years, he immigrated to Jerusalem, where he passed away in 1886.

[102] leaves. Approx. 18 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Worming, affecting text. Several detached leaves. Original binding, partially detached and damaged.

Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, TU.011.005.

Manuscripts of Siddur HaRashash in the Gross Family Collection
Siddur HaRashash was a siddur with kabbalistic kavanot based on the writings of the Arizal and R. Chaim Vital. The siddur was edited by the kabbalists of the Beit El yeshiva in Jerusalem, based on the siddur compiled by their teacher the Rashash – R. Shalom Mizrachi Sharabi, dean of the Beit El yeshiva in the mid-18th century. For many years, copyings of Siddur HaRashash were produced from accurate manuscripts proofread by the kabbalists in the yeshiva.
Prayer using the manuscripts of the siddur was the privilege of just a few kabbalists. In general, the kabbalists themselves produced various copyings of Siddur HaRashash for their personal use, or entrusted them to reliable kabbalists only. Each of these manuscripts bore the stamp of the kabbalist who copied it, through the emendations and additions he inserted.
For many years, the siddur was zealously and intentionally kept in manuscript form only, without being printed at all. Only in 1911-1912 did several Ashkenazi kabbalists of Yeshivat Shaar HaShamayim in Jerusalem finally initiate the printing of the siddur, and parts I and II were published. Parts III-IX were printed later, presumably in 1916.
The Beit El yeshiva of kabbalists, also known as Midrash HaChassidim or Kehal Chassidim, was founded in Jerusalem in 1737 by R. Gedalia Hayun, and was designated as a place for studying kabbalah. Ever since, the kabbalists of Jerusalem have gathered to study there, directed by foremost kabbalists. Of particular prominence were R. Shalom Sharabi (the Rashash), who headed the yeshiva, and his successor R. Yom Tov Algazi. Reputedly, R. Gershon of Kitov – brother-in-law of the Baal Shem Tov, also studied there. Following the passing of R. Chaim Avraham Gagin in 1848, R. Yedidia Refael Abulafia (1806-1869), was appointed in his stead, a position he held until his passing. R. Abulafia's disciples include the sons of Rebbe Moshe of Lelov; the Imrei Binah Rabbi of Jerusalem; R. Shalom Moshe Chai Gagin, who succeeded him as dean of the Beit El yeshiva; and others.
Presented here is a unique collection of manuscripts of Siddur HaRashash from the Gross Family Collection, which reflects the tradition of manuscript transmittal of the Siddur HaRashash amongst kabbalists. Some of the present siddurim were scribed by most prominent kabbalists of the Beit El yeshiva, including R. Yosef Edrehi (scribe of the Rashash), R. Yedidia Refael Abulafia, R. Nissim Zerachya Azulai (grandson of the Chida), R. Yitzchak Moshe Ferrera, R. Masoud HaKohen Alhadad, and others.
Regarding the development of Siddur HaRashash, see: R. Moshe Hillel, The Rashash's Meditation Prayer Books, Between Tradition and Innovation, in: Windows on Jewish Worlds, Essays in Honor of William Gross, ed. Shalom Sabar, Emile Schrijver, Falk Wiesemann, pp. 205-239. An addendum at the end lists the manuscripts of Siddur HaRashash found in the Gross Family Collection.