Handwritten Autograph by Kabbalist Rabbi Ya'akov Yisrael Algazi

Handwritten Autograph by Kabbalist Rabbi Ya'akov Yisrael Algazi

Handwritten sermons in eloquent script by the Kabbalist, the Rishon LeTziyon Rabbi Ya'akov Yisrael Algazi. 18th century. To the best of our knowledge, these sermons have not been printed!

The manuscript consists of sermons in aggadah and covers twelve pages written in very dense Oriental script (chatzi kolmus), yet still very clear. Includes glosses in the margins of the pages, also written by the Rishon LeTziyon.

Rabbi Ya'akov Yisrael Algazi [1680-1756] was one of the rabbis of Izmir and one of the greatest sages and Kabbalists of Jerusalem. He studied at the Beit El yeshivah for Kabbalists and one was of its heads. Among his rabbis were Rabbi Chaim Abulafiah (author of Etz HaChaim) and Rabbi Yitzchak HaCohen Rapoport (author of Batei Kehunah). He served as the rosh yeshivah of the 'Neveh Shalom Brit Avraham' yeshivah where the greatest sages of Jerusalem studied, and was a member of Rabbi Eliezer Nachum's Beit Din. The Chid"a eulogized him. He held the position of Rishon L'Tziyon from 1755 until his passing, and his son, the Mahari"t, succeeded him. He authored many books, including: Shalmei Tzibur, Ne'ot Ya'akov, Ma'aneh Lashon, Emet L'Ya'akov, Ara'a DeRabbanan, Kehilot Ya'akov, Maggid Devarav L'Ya'akov and more.

Rabbi Ya'akov Yisrael Algazi was the one who brought the Kabbalistic and controversial book Chemdat Yamim to print from manuscripts he found in Safed. The author's identity is disputed. It may be Nathan of Gaza (Natan HaAzati), disciple of the false messiah Shabbtai Tzvi, or it may be an important Kabbalist. The Ya'avet"z writes: "I looked at it for a short time and recoiled, then I knew its nature and the traces of Sabbatean heresy concealed within it in innumerable abominations and hints." It is told of the Besh"t that he said one motza'ei Shabbat that a book by the Sabbatean sect has been published and it will draw in many Jews with its smooth language - referring to Chemdat Yamim. On the other hand, Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin expressed a positive opinion of the book and the author of the Leshem determined its author to be "one of the Divine holy people." The book (in an edition from 2003) begins with an approbation by Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef: "Enthusiasm for the holiness of Sabbath and Yom Tov would not enter my heart, but by reading this Torah work." Religious scholar Rabbi Yechiel Goldhaber hypothesizes in his scholarly article in the magazine Dacha that Rabbi Algazi is the author of Chemdat HaYamim. 

[12] pp. 10x16 cm. Dense chatzi kolmus script.

Fine-very fine condition. Aging stains. Light professional restoration to the margins of the leaves. New leather binding.