"Yesod HaKabbalah" – Ma'areches HaElokus, Ferrara 1558, First Edition

Ma'areches HaElokus ...

"Yesod HaKabbalah" – Ma'areches HaElokus, Ferrara 1558, First Edition

Ma'areches HaElokus, matters of Kabbalah and the secrets of the Torah, attributed to Rabbeinu Peretz HaKohen of the Baalei HaTosafos, with an anonymous commentary, and an explanation by the "Minchas Yehuda" of the Holy Chait, Ferrara 1558 – first edition.

One of the foundational seforim of Kabbalistic wisdom, it was printed in the same year as the Zohar HaKadosh, with the approval of the "Sar HaMasik" on the Zohar, the Kabbalist Rabbi Yitzchak di Lattes.

The Source for the Practice of Removing Tefillin

The importance and exalted nature of this holy sefer are highlighted by the fact that its teachings were accepted by the greats of previous generations, not only in matters of Kabbalah but also in halachic matters. This sefer is the first source for the practice of removing the shel rosh tefillin while standing, a halacha brought down by the Beis Yosef (Orach Chaim 28) and ruled upon in the Shulchan Aruch (Siman 28, Se’if 2).

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On the title page, there is an ownership signature in a Yemenite hand: "Elazar Mari Aharon Araki HaKohen " along with several important glosses in a beautiful script, possibly also in his handwriting – Rabbi Elazar Araki, the renowned printer from India.

The sage Rabbi Elazar Araki was likely born in Sana'a, Yemen, and in 1841, he emigrated to India and settled in Calcutta, where he opened a printing press and became a leader of the community. He also authored several books of piyyutim. The famous shadar Rabbi Yaakov Sapir visited him and wrote in his praise, "…one of the elevated ones, well-versed in Tanach and the early commentators… also in halacha and aggada… a wise, swift scribe, a poet who sweetly sings both orally and in writing…"

[6], 286 leaves, good to fair condition, with some restorations and slight worming, stains, and a nice binding