‘Hanefesh Hachachama’ – Collection of Kabbalistic Works from the Period of the Rishonim, First Edition – Basel 1608
A collection of early Kabbalistic works from the period of the Rishonim, containing 71 sections:
Sections 1-5: ‘Hanefesh Hachachama’ by
Rabbi Moshe bar Shem Tov de Leon, dealing with souls, Olam Haba, and the Techiat Hametim.
Section 6: The order of resurrection of the dead.
Sections 7-71: Secrets and laws regarding Mitzvot Aseh and Lo Ta’aseh in the way of Kabbalah, by an anonymous Kabbalist.
Section 15 includes a commentary on the Passover Haggadah, as well as part of the commentary by the Kabbalist Rabbi Yosef Gikatilla on the Haggadah .
The book was composed in the year 1290, and is one of the earliest Kabbalistic books.
Rabbi Moshe de Leon [d. circa 1305] was one of the greatest Spanish Kabbalists of the 13th century, a Talmid of Rabbi Yosef Gikatilla, and one of the main disseminators of Torat Hanistar. He wrote many works, most of which have not yet been printed. The book
Chemdat Yamim brings a wondrous story about him (Venice 1763, Part 4, p. 27).
This is the first time a sefer by Rabbi Moshe de Leon has been printed with his name mentioned on it.
Basel 1608 [5368] First Edition (some passages were previously printed in the book
Avkat Rokhel). Page count: [64] leaves.
Size: 19.3 cm. Condition: Good-fair. Minor text losses in the margins of the title page and a few individual leaves, some of which have been restored and photocopied. Stains and signs of use.
