Bidspirit auction | Or Yisrael – Important and

Or Yisrael – Important and Controversial Kabbalistic Work – Frankfurt an der Oder, 1702 – Only Edition – With the Rare Leaf Missing from Most Copies - Or Yisrael, an extensive Kabbalistic work by the Kabbalist Rabbi Yisrael Yaffe, Rabbi of Shklov. Frankfurt an der Oder, 1702. Only edition. Complete copy with the rare leaf containing the approbation of the renowned Kabbalist Rabbi Naftali Katz, author of Semichat Chachamim, which is missing from most copies. An extensive Kabbalistic work in two parts. The first part contains interpretations of Aggadic teachings of the Sages and Psalms; the second follows the order of the Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, combining halachic and Kabbalistic subjects. The volume opens with numerous approbations by prominent rabbis and Torah scholars. The title page features an especially magnificent engraved architectural border, richly decorated with figures and ornamental motifs and bearing the artist’s signature. The Rare Leaf – Approbation of the Author of Semichat Chachamim The exceptional bibliographical feature of the present copy is leaf 7, which is missing from most known copies of the book. This leaf contains the approbation of the renowned Kabbalist Rabbi Naftali Katz, author of Semichat Chachamim, dated 27 Tishrei 1702 – approximately two weeks after the printing of the book had been completed. The author himself explains that since the approbation arrived only after printing had been completed, he created a separate leaf especially for it and added it to the book afterward. He also added a Torah discourse of his own to the leaf. The circumstances of its late printing explain why this leaf is absent from most copies. The present copy contains this rare leaf in its entirety. A Kabbalistic Work Suspected of Sabbatean Tendencies The book aroused controversy soon after its publication. Its author was accused of including ideas regarded as tending toward Sabbateanism, and as a result some sought to suppress the work and copies were reportedly placed in genizah. This history contributed to the rarity of Or Yisrael and to its particular historical and scholarly interest. The sole edition of an important and unusual Kabbalistic work with a fascinating controversial history, in a complete copy containing the rare leaf with the approbation of the author of Semichat Chachamim, absent from most copies. Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, no. 366. [1], 7, 187 leaves. 31.5 cm. Diagrams. Good–very good condition. Minor reinforcement to the title page. Leather-covered wooden boards, with restored spine and remnants of clasps.