Sefer HaLikutim VeSha’ar HaPesukim by the Ariza”l. Jerusalem, [1867] with glosses, comments and references handwritten by Rabbi Shimon Aharon Agassi.
Sha’ar HaPesukim and Sefer HaLikutin , unknown sermons written by Rabbi Chaim Vital based on the doctrine of his rabbi, the Ar”i. Jerusalem, Yisrael Be”k press. [1868]. Special variant with a single title page for both books, whose upper part was printed in two columns.
The book before us was sent from Jerusalem to Baghdad to Rabbi Shimon who was a disciple-colleague of the author of Ben Ish Chai , along with additional books.
On the leaf after the title page, Rabbi Shimon thanks G-d for granting him the books and ends with a prayer that he be privileged to understand them, etc. and he signed his name on Thursday the 25th of Tishrei 1873: “He who trusts the rock of my refuge, the young Shimon Aharon Agassi.”
On an additional leaf, he notes several novellae he has gathered from the book and cites them word for word with reference to the leaf on which they are written. In the middle, he writes another resolution by him for a question of the Ariza”l’s. Among the leaves of the book there are additional short glosses handwritten by him, corrections of printing errors and short additions and completions.
There is also an interesting comment handwritten by him: “It is known from the writings of the Ariza”l that the reason for Israel being exiled among the nations is to gather and select the holy sparks that are sunken there … until in this exile all the holy sparks must be sorted. And when this sorting is completed, the righteous Messiah will come and this is an impossible matter because there are places that are very far away … Therefore G-d has given the world the means to repair the roads at the “end of the race” such as by railway, which have been innovated at this time, and to open the pathways of the world at sea to a place where no one has been, such as America and the like, until nowadays a man can wander to all parts of the world in no time, and then it is possible that the Jews will go there …”
Kabbalist Rabbi Shimon Agassi (1852-1914) was a rosh yeshivah, a well-known kabbalist, a preacher and a liturgical poet, one of the leading rabbis of Baghdad and second in importance to the position of Chacham Bashi – the community leader. He was a disciple of Chacham Yitzchak Mordechai Sasson and studied kabbalah also with his friend Rabbi Yehudah Pattiyah. He authored the book Bnei Aharon on “Sha’ar HaGilgulim” and the books Imrei Shimon and Zahav Sheba .
[4], 158,[2] leaves, 30 cm. Sh. HaLevi, Sifrei Yerushalayim 91. Bound with a slightly worn leather binding. The binding was made by the kabbalist Rabbi Yitzchak Kaduri. Fine-very fine condition.