Shefa Tal. With a Kabbalah Manuscript. Hanau, 1612. With Numerous Kabbalistic Illustrations.

Shefa Tal. With a Kabbalah Manuscript. Hanau, 1612. With Numerous Kabbalistic Illustrations.

Fundamental Kabbalah Book. First Edition. 

The book, Shefa Tal, is comprised of the fundamental wisdom of truth, and introductions for those commencing Kabbalah study. Authored by the saintly Kabbalist, Rabbi Shabtai Sheftil Segal Horowitz of Prague.

At the end of the book are 7 pages, written in unidentified handwriting, comprising drushim, kabbalistic matters, and practical Kabbalah. These are followed by 4 leaves, penned in unusually beautiful scribal script. These 4 leaves comprise the content of the first 4 leaves of the book, Shefa Tal.

This is a most prominent Kabbalah composition, based on the Kabbalah teachings of Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, and his book, ‘Pardes Rimonim’. This book is one of the first Kabbalah books to be published in Western Europe.

It boasts numerous approbations from leading sages of that era including, Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim Lontschitz, the Rabbi of Prague, the Kli Yakar and the Shelah HaKadosh who was the author’s cousin.

It is most intriguing that this book’s foreword was written by Rabbi Feivel, the Shelah’s son-in-law. This is possibly the only known writings of Rabbi Feivel.

The Will of Rabbi Sheftil son of the Shelah, and the Chatam Sofer’s Directive to study the book Shefa Tal.

At the end of the book ‘Yesh Nochlin’, in Rabbi Sheftil’s will, appears the enjoinder to study the book Shefa Tal from beginning to end, emphasizing that the wise will delve into it.

The Chatam Sofer directed his disciple, the MaHaram Eish to study the book Shefa Tal. (Zichron Yehuda Livno Ungvar page 4b.)

Hanau, 1612. First edition. Kabbalah Sefer Yesod, with numerous Kabbalistic illustrations.

[10], 87, 89-94 leaves. 27 cm. Very good condition. Some pages are trimmed at the top with the name of the Chapter and pagination cut off. The leaf one prior to the final leaf, the bottom corner of the calendar page is professional restored with a minute part lacking. Quality paper. Outstandingly beautiful, new, leather binding.

Vinograd, Hanau 13.

Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, No. 360.

Nice copy of a Kabbalah Sefer Yesod, with an intriguing Kabbalistic manuscript.