Manuscript, Asara Klalim – Kabbalistic Work by the Gaon of Vilna

Manuscript, Asara Klalim – Kabbalistic Work by the Gaon of Vilna
Manuscript, kabbalistic principles by the Gaon of Vilna. [Lithuania?, 19th century].
A composition comprising ten principles of Seder HaAtzilut by the Gaon of Vilna. The manuscript includes two transcripts by one writer. On the first leaf, a transcript of three principles and the beginning of the fourth principle. This is followed by a blank leaf and (leaves [3]-[8]) a second transcript with all ten principles. Both transcripts bear the headings: "That which I found in a booklet of the Gaon of Vilna".
This work from the teachings of the Gaon of Vilna was unknown until its discovery in the past generation. It was first published based on the present manuscript, which was in the collection of Mr. Yeshayahu Vinograd. The composition was published at Vinograd's initiative, under the title Asara Klalim, edited by R. Yosef Avivi who added a detailed introduction about the significance of this work and about the kabbalah of the Gaon of Vilna (printed under the title of Kabbalat HaGra, includes: Gilui Eliyahu – introduction to the Kabbalah of the Gaon of Vilna by R. Y. Avivi; and Asara Klalim by the Gaon of Vilna – based on the present manuscript. Jerusalem, 1993, published by the Kerem Eliyahu institute founded by Yeshayahu Vinograd).
Vinograd describes the discovery of this manuscript in his foreword to the book. He begins by recounting how he started collecting the works of the Gaon of Vilna, and was successful in amassing a respectable collection numbering hundreds of items – works of the Gaon of Vilna and works documenting his life and teachings. Many items in his collection were unknown, sole exemplars. He then describes the important project he undertook, of compiling a comprehensive bibliographic listing of all the books of the Gaon of Vilna (published under the title Thesaurus of the Books of the Vilna Gaon). He then adds: " While I was toiling on the preparation of this bibliography of the books of the Gaon of Vilna, a manuscript with the name of the Gaon of Vilna written at the top of it was brought before me. This manuscript was discovered in a Jerusalem genizah, where it was thrown like a useless item. The finder did not know what he had discovered, and asked me to study the nature of this manuscript. I showed it to my colleague R. Yosef Avivi, who is renowned for his knowledge and works on kabbalah, and when he told me that this manuscript is a transcript of a very important, hitherto unknown work on the kabbalah of the Gaon of Vilna, I decided to purchase it and have it published…".
R. Dovid Kamenetsky (Torat HaGra, pp. 625-626) conjectures that this work was written by R. Menachem Mendel of Shklow, based on teachings he heard from his teacher the Gaon of Vilna. R. D. Kamenetsky even reprinted this work, based on a different manuscript (see ibid. p. 279 onwards).
[8] leaves. Fair-poor condition. Stains. Tears, dampness damage and mold stains, affecting text. Ink faded and difficult to decipher. New leather binding.