Manuscript, "Ashmurot" with Unprinted Notes by the Maharitz – Yemen, 18th Century

Manuscript, "Ashmurot" with Unprinted Notes by the Maharitz – Yemen, 18th Century
Manuscript, "Ashmurot" - Selichot according to the Yemenite custom, with notes by the Maharitz R. Yichye Tzalach. Yemen, [18th century]. [18] leaves. [8] leaves thereof are missing and have been completed in later writings [Yemen, 19th century and 20th century].
The more ancient pages are written in neat, vowelized calligraphic script. The margins of these pages contain notes (in tiny, neat handwriting) which comprise of halachic instructions, kabbalistic kavanot, textual and vocalization variations, their reasons and sources. To the best of our knowledge most of the notes are hitherto unprinted, but some of them appear in other sources in the name of the Maharitz. This manuscript is presumably an autograph of the Maharitz [equivalents were found between the content of some of these notes and the Maharitz's teachings, and the style of writing is typical of manuscripts known to be authored by the Maharitz].
In the margin of the Selichot piyyut "Master of the Universe, I will confess to minor and severe sins...", a comment of the Maharitz appears in the name of his grandfather R. Tzalach: "Master of the Universe etc. My grandfather did not say this confession, since who in this generation can claim to measure up to it… it seems as if he is giving false testimony".
In a few notes, he refers to the customs and teachings of the Ari ("HaRav Zal"). See, for instance, a note in the margin of the piyyut "Answer us... close to all who call to Him", in which the author discusses the textual differences between manuscript siddurim and the printed versions, and also quotes the words of the Ari in Sefer HaKavanot: "In manuscript siddurim, the wording here is 'close to all who truly call to Him', and this is according to Midrash Rabba… but the printed versions do not include the word 'truly', and this fits in well with the words of the Rav in Sefer HaKavanot… see p. 52b".
The following comment appears in the margin of the piyyut "Erelei Meromim": "I've heard some who refrain from saying this, since all the forces' actions are innate, and they are not able to change their mission, as the Rambam writes…".
R. Yichye son of R. Yosef Tzalach – the Maharitz (1715-1805), the greatest of Yemenite rabbis in the 18th century, and one of the leading halachic authorities. Disciple of his grandfather Mori Tzalach, and of R. Aharon HaCohen Araki, R. Yichye Araki and R. David Mashraki, author of "Shetilei Zeitim". At the age of 43, he was appointed Chief Rabbi of all Yemenite communities, a position he held for more than 45 years. His authority was unequivocally accepted in all of Yemen, and to this day many Yemenite Jews adhere to his customs and rulings. He compiled the Tiklal siddur with the Etz Chaim commentary, and many halachic works: Zevach Toda and Shaarei Kedusha on the laws of shechita, Shaarei Tahara on the laws of Nida, Responsa Peulat Tzaddik, and other books of halacha, mussar and kabbalah.
[18] leaves. Approx. 16 cm. Fair condition. Extensive wear; stains. Worn wrappers.