Booklet of segulot, amulets, lots and prayers by Rabbi Refael Yeshaya Azulai, eldest son of Rabbi Chaim Yosef Dovid Azulai – the Chida. All in his handwriting. 18th-19th century. Never printed.
Specifications: [60] pages. 58 pages with texts on both their sides. 10×13 cm, thick paper.
Content: The booklet includes prayers and segulot related to many areas, including detailed instructions for carrying them out. Some of the ideas relate to areas termed “practical kabbala.” Kabbalistic sketches within the text, tables, G-d’s names with vowelized letters, angels’ names and the like. Includes segulot for income, success, victory in court, finding a thief, toothaches, suffering, epilepsy, knowing whether a patient will live or die, hastening labor, fertility and wish fulfillment. With many ideas related to medical cures, segulot for memory and lots.
Unique features: On leaf [14], Rabbi Refael Yeshaya Azulai writes about what is recorded in the Bibliothèque Nationale , ‘ which is the National Library of France, in Paris. The Chida visited this library a number of times and wrote that it was the largest, most unique library in the world. In his autobiography Ma’agal Tov , he writes about the library and its rare Jewish manuscripts, which he also mentions in his Shem HaGedolim . The Chida received rare, special permission to borrow a manuscript for one night. He used that night to copy the entire manuscript of Rabbi Yeshaya di Trani – the Ri”d on the Torah, which he then printed in his Pnei Dovid .
The Chida generally concealed his expertise in kabbala. This expertise can only be perceived through close study of his works. In a few places, primarily in notes that he wrote to himself, there are allusions to his knowledge and use of practical kabbala. It is possible that the ideas in this booklet are based on the studies of the Chida. Never printed.
Background: Rabbi Refael Yeshaya Azulai was born in Jerusalem in 1743. He was the Chida’s oldest son. He studied with his father and was counted among the Jerusalem sages. He was sent on a number of fundraising missions, until he settled in Amsterdam. Over the years, he corresponded with his father who had a strong affinity for him. When the Chida moved to Leghorn, Rabbi Yeshaya met with his father a number of times. When the position of rabbi in Ancona opened, the community leaders asked the Chida to suggest a candidate. He hinted regarding his son, Rabbi Refael Yeshaya. The community leaders agreed, and their detailed offer, including a precise description of the role and salary, was transmitted via the Chida who did not involve himself in the negotiations. In 1788, he was appointed rabbi of Ancona, where he served until his death in 1826. He lived 83 years, just like his father. The Chida quotes Rabbi Refael Yeshaya’s Torah in his works. He printed two halachic responses that his son wrote and many of his Torah novellae. When mentioning his son, the Chida uses terms such as “my dear son,” “my soul’s friend,” “the complete sage,” “the excellent dayan,” etc. Rabbi Refael Yeshaya was an ill person, as mentioned in his correspondence with his father. In 1796, his illness became stronger and his father wrote that he was so pained that he himself became sick. However, he wrote that nothing bad would happen to him, and that he tearfully prayed for him. Rabbi Refael Yeshaya lived another thirty years after that illness. Fifty of the letters that the Chida wrote to his son were printed.
This lot includes an expert authorization regarding the identity of the writer of this manuscript.
Condition: Fine. Aging stains. Very light restorations in a number of locations. Bound in a nice, original leather binding with gold embossing.