Early manuscript: Sefer Pri Etz Chayim – Kavvanot and yichudim for prayer according to what Rabbi Chaim Vital received from his rabbi, the Ar”i, edited and arranged by the Kabbalist Rabbi Meir Poppers. Fluent Ashkenazic script, Europe, c. mid-1700 – mid-1800s; possibly early 1700s.
The manuscript runs from the middle of the second introduction through all ten of the first she’arim and about half of the eleventh sha’ar of the first anaf of Pri Etz Chaim , which discusses kavvanot hatefillah . With glosses by Rabbi Ya’akov Tzemach in sidebars.
The eleven she’arim present here include: Sha’ar HaTefillah, Sha’ar HaBerachot, Sha’ar HaTzitzit, Sha’ar HaTefilin, Sha’ar HaKorbanot, Sha’ar HaZemirot, Sha’ar Kriyat Shema, Sha’ar HaAmidah, Sha’ar Chazarat HaAmidah, Sha’ar Kavvanat Amen and Sha’ar HaSelichot.
Sefer Pri Etz Chayim edited by Mahara”m Poppers was printed for the first time in Koritz 1785, however, this manuscript is from before it was printed. We have not compared this manuscript and the Koritz edition.
There are usage marks as a result of in-depth study by early Kabbalists (despite this fact, the remaining leaves are very well-preserved). Unfortunately, the first leaf of the manuscript is lacking, so we do not know who the writer was, nor who the owners of the manuscript were. Yet there were few Kabbalists in 18th century Europe – the Ba’al Shem Tov and his disciples, the Gr”a and his leading disciples, Rabbi Nattan Adler and very few others.
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for brief biographies of the G-dly Kabbalist Rabbi Meir Poppers .
2-164 leaf (lacking the first leaf) 15×19 cm.
Overall moderate-fine condition. The first leaf is blemished and torn with lack in the text. Many leaves are detached or partially detached. Isolated worming tunnels. Stains and ink smudges, primarily in the first leaves. Antique binding, blemished and detached.