Manuscript of “Pri Eitz Chaim” by Rabbi ...

Manuscript of “Pri Eitz Chaim” by Rabbi Chaim Vital; Ashkenaz, circa 1700

Complete manuscript compiled by the Kabbalist Rabbi Meir Papirash from the teachings of Rabbi Chaim Vital containing all weekday prayers along with their intentions based upon the teachings of Rabbi Chaim Vital, as learned from his rabbi, the holy Ari.

This manuscript was written in Germany circa 1700, in neat, rounded Ashkenazic script. It includes handwritten marginalia.

Throughout the pages there are glosses from Rabbi Yitzchak of Posen which begin with the acronym A.Y. – "Amar Yitzchak" (Yitzchak said).

Rabbi Yitzchak of Posen was the rabbi of the Magen Avraham, and the Remaz traveled to him as well in order to learn the Torah’s secrets.

While Rabbi Yitzchak’s glosses on Eitz Chaim were published, it seems that his glosses on Pri Eitz Chaim were not.

There are additional marginalia written in a different hand.

Background: This manuscript originated in the beis midrash of the renowned philanthropist, Rabbi Daniel Yaffe of Berlin. Great sages, such as Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Riminov and the Pri Megadim, studied in this very beis midrash.

In his introduction to his sefer, the Pri Megadim writes: “Credit to the famous philanthropist… Rabbi Daniel Yaffe of Berlin, for it is because he volunteered... and sustains Torah scholars in his beis midrash… I have also established my place here in his beis midrash where I found a place full of sefarim …”

The title page of the manuscript is taken from one of the blanks published by the presses of the time. There is a signature from Rabbi Daniel Yaffe on the first page and an owner’s signature on page 11.

Pri Etz Chaim was printed later in  Koritz, 1785. No comparison was made between this pre-dated manuscript and the printed version.

315 leaves | 22.5 x 17 cm | Ink stains on several pages | leather binding | Good condition