Rare: Sefer Reishis Chochmah, Zhitomir 1804.

Rare: Sefer Reishis Chochmah, Zhitomir 1804.

A complete copy of Sefer Reishis Chochmah, printed at Zhitomir in 1804. 

Reshis Chochmah is an important book of Kabbalah and Mussar, written by the 16th century scholar R. Eliyahu de Vidas. It is based largely on the Zohar. Ever since it was first printed it has been immensely popular, reprinted hundreds of times. R. de Vidas was a foremost disciple of R. Moshe Kordevero, commonly known as the RaMak.

This Zhitomir edition is one of the very first books ever to be printed in Zhitomir, at the press of R. Zvi Hircsh Katz and partners. The four partners took the printing expenses upon themselves to benefit the public, as indicated on the title page.

Printed with the approbation of R. Levi Yitzchak of Barditchev, and R. Bezalel Margulies of Ostrow.

Zhitomir imprints would go on to become highly sought after due to the Shapiro Brothers’ press which was located in Zhitomir, however this printing press actually preceded the Shapiro’s in Zhitomir by some 35 years.

In very good condition. Small tear seen on title page, not affecting text. Final leaf partially repaired on verso with no loss of text. Scattered foxing. Bound in a new, ornate full leather binding. Very rare. 

[1], 298 pp. 

Vinograd, Zhitomir 4.