כתב-יד, פרקי היכלות, חיבור לא מזוהה – איורים קבליים – פרס

Manuscript: Pirkei Heikhalot with commentary, "Tefillat Ilui HaNeshamot," Passover Haggadah. [Persia, 19th century?] Pirkei Heikhalot with commentary. An unidentified work on the seven Heikhalot. In the "Author's Introduction," the work is attributed to Rabbi Nechunya ben HaKanah, and it is stated that "these seven Heikhalot were written in golden ink and were hidden at the head of the grave of the master Rabbi Nechunya ben HaKanah until the generation of the Ari of blessed memory, when Elijah of blessed memory revealed himself to the Ari with this book in hand, by virtue of his merit, to enact the rectification of souls and transmigrations, and this was in the year three hundred and ten of the sixth millennium…" Following the author's introduction there is a preface by "the printer," signed with the name "David ben Zlata Mindis Koytinio" [see attached material on this]. All chapters of the work begin with the words "Rabbi Yishmael said," and the work is constructed from passages of Midrash Heikhalot with the addition of commentary [in the continuation of the "First Heikhal," an addition is included opening with "Said the printer," who may be the author of the commentary]. Several Kabbalistic illustrations in black and gold ink: a Tree of Sefirot, "Jacob's Ladder" designed in the form of a Tree of Sefirot, and a diagram of the Garden of Eden and the rivers issuing from it. In the "Seventh Heikhal" appear thirteen chapters of "Tefillat Ilui HaNeshamot" — prayers recited on each of the days of the month of Nisan through the Passover festival. At the end of the prayers, a fine illustration of the "Menorah of the Ari" [the psalm Lamenatze'ach]. It appears that this is a [relatively late] copy of a manuscript that was intended to be printed [in Amsterdam?] but apparently was not printed [the relationship of this work to the common Heikhalot midrashim has not been thoroughly studied]. * At the end of the manuscript: the Passover Haggadah [partially vocalized], including verses recited before the Seder night, a sermon for Shabbat HaGadol, and "Kavanot Kadesh veRachatz." * A work on "the names of the zodiac signs and the months" (incomplete). Several glosses from Rabbi Shlomo Cohen Tzedek (1874–1962), rabbi in Golpaygan in Persia and subsequently Av Beit Din of Tehran, a saintly Kabbalist known for his expertise in esoteric wisdom and practical Kabbalah. He maintained a correspondence in responsa with the Ben Ish Chai. [165] pages. Some leaves are bound out of order; several pages appear to be missing from the Haggadah section. 15 cm. Condition good-fair (varying between pages, most pages in good condition), stains, tears, and wear.