Iggeret Rabi Shabtai Ventura – extraordinarily important Kabbalistic-historic letter, entirely [3 large pages] handwritten and decoratively signed by the renowned gaon Rabbi Shabtai Ventura, av beit din of Ispaltro, author of Nahar Shalom (extensively cited in Mishnah Berurah ). Ispaltro, 8 Shevat, 1771.
This hugely important manuscript discusses the most important and renowned Kabbalistic work of all time, Etz Chayim by Rabbi Chaim Vital, which constitutes the “Kabbalah Bible” in that all Kabbalistic topics are deciphered exclusively based on it. The manuscript deals with the physical and spiritual description of Etz Chayim , its transcriptions, how it arrived on the European continent, and much, much more.
Our appreciation for the sacred urges us to cite several lines from this lengthy and important iggeret :
” Etz Chayim is a pious and ascetic commentary written with love, incomparably lofty … attributed to Mordechai Tzemach Vitrabi …
Hashem’s honor conceals matters, and Rabbi David Pardo wanted me to state that I did not transcribe it. I don’t know if there is in it this lofty element in quality and quantity, as there is nothing like it in all Italian cities. I will state that all Kabbalistic wisdom depends on it, all sefarim and writings in the world on this topic, sefer HaKavvanot , Sefer Otzrot Chayim and Sefer HaLikkutim V’HaDrushim V’HaGilgulim . More than what I have told you is written here … A person can perfect himself in this world and the next world, reaching wondrous and pure concepts that no one has seen before …” The Etz Chayim presently in the possession of my rabbi and teacher was initially hidden by his teacher, Rabbi Ya’akov Belilius, who obtained it after much effort and great expense in Haleb [Aleppo]. After his teacher passed away, his teacher’s brother, who assisted him very much, sold it to Rabbi David Pardo for his brother’s merit, yet he still paid a fortune for it …
You will clearly see that I did not insist on asking, as Heaven can attest that I would not do it even if I was given a huge fortune … signed here in Ispaltro, in the final third of Chodesh Shevat, 1771.
The small and young Shabtai bech”r Avraham Ventura.”
It is worth noting that the content of this manuscript refutes the tradition about the original manuscript of the Etz Chayim sefarim stored in the National Library in Jerusalem, attributed to Rabbi Chaim Vital himself. This manuscript is clear proof that the manuscript attributed to Rabbi Chaim Vital was written by none other than the gaon Rabbi Shabtai Ventura, writer of this iggeret . (Refer to the extensive discussion following the biography in the Hebrew text.)
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the renowned gaon Rabbi David Shabtai Ventura .
[1] leaf paper, of which [3] pages are written. 27.5 cm.
Fine condition. Minimal stains. Tears with lack, without damage to the text. Fold marks. Artistically restored letter with marginal completions.