Manuscript, Siddur Kavanot HaRashash – Jerusalem – Scribed by the Kabbalists Rabbi Masoud HaKohen Alhadad and Rabbi ...

Manuscript, Siddur Kavanot HaRashash – Jerusalem – Scribed by the Kabbalists Rabbi Masoud HaKohen Alhadad and Rabbi Yichye Tzarum, with Their Glosses

Manuscript, Siddur Kavanot HaRashash, for the Shabbat meals, bedtime Shema service and morning blessings, scribed by R. Masoud HaKohen Alhadad and R. Yichye Tzarum. [Jerusalem, 19th/20th century].
Most of the manuscript was scribed by R. Masoud HaKohen Alhadad, apart from pp. 70a-80b (and a small section of p. 39b), which were scribed by R. Yichye Tzarum.
R. Masoud HaKohen Alhadad (1820-1927), elder kabbalist of his generation in Jerusalem. Born in Morocco, he immigrated to Eretz Israel in his childhood together with his parents. Once he was well versed in Talmud and halachic literature, he devoted himself to the study of kabbalah for sixty years. In 1902, he travelled as emissary to Tunis and Tripoli, earning the reputation of a wonder-worker during his travels for the miracles he performed (see testimonies in Maamar Esther, Djerba, 1946, leaves 7-9). In 1903, he was appointed dean of the Beit El yeshiva, heading the yeshiva for over twenty years. For many years, he served as cantor, praying according to the kavanot of the Arizal in Siddur HaRashash. He passed away at the exceptional age of 107.
R. Yichye son of R. Yosef Tzarum (1843-1917), a leader of the Yemenites from Sana'a who settled in Jerusalem in the E'eleh BeTamar immigration in 1882, and one of the heads of the Yemenite community. Shortly after his immigration, he was appointed head of the Yemenite Beit Din and rabbi of the Yemenite community in Jerusalem.
The manuscript contains several glosses by both Torah scholars.
82 leaves. 22 cm. Good condition. Stains. Tears to several leaves. One leaf detached. New binding.

Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, EI.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.