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First edition of this important kabbalistic discourse on the nature of the soul by R. Shabbetai Sheftel ben Akiva Horowitz (c. 1565-1619). R. Horowitz, a doctor by profession, is considered an important kabbalist. He is also known for his Shefa Tal (1612). The title page informs that Nishmat Shabbetai ha-Levi speaks of “The great, wondrous, traditional, concealed, mystery of the holy soul that is renewed by the inquiries of his sons, his students, his companions, and his teachers. Written and established by the sage . . . an expert doctor for the public . . . established “upon the four sockets” (Exodus 26:32) of pure gold, four pillars, four witnesses, a faithful plant, “the holy ones who are in the earth” (Psalms 16:3) . . .”
The title page is not dated. The colophon, however, gives a completion date of Wednesday, 20 Adar, in the year, and “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the äàøõ ãòä àú (376 = March 9, 1616) Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9). Horowitz’s introduction begins on the verso of the title page, concluding on 2b. Next is a list of the book’s thirteen sha’arim and the text, in two columns in square letters, errata, and an approbation from R. Isaiah ben Abraham Horowitz and R. Solomon Ephraim Luntschits.
Among the sha’arim comprising Nishmat Shabbetai ha-Levi are 1) concerning the name Ein Sof in which are explained what is appropriate to believe and what is not appropriate to believe; 2) the name Azilut and its sefirot, explaining the distinction between Ein Sof and the sefirot of Azilut; 3) the term Ne’ilat Sha’arim (closing the gates) and because it is the closing, sealing, and securing of the first two gates with “good judgment and knowledge” (Psalms 119:66); 4) to inform on the ways and clarify the thoughts of the author because in it he makes clear and explains his earlier words in his previous work Shefa Tal; 6) the second and third pillars of the pillars Or Ahavat ha-Neshamah because in it is also explained that the soul is part and parcel of the tanna R. Simeon ben Yohai and the author of Reshit Hokhmah (R. Elijah de Vidas) and they are the pillars and foundations of this faith and concerning this love of the soul where it is explained how the soul in nature has the love to cleave to the Holy One, blessed be He, nature to nature; 9) the different levels of the soul, in which are explained the difference and distinction between souls which go out from their source to this world and their coming to the world to come; and 11) how the soul descends below into the body of a zaddik and with all this does not lack anything from the light and is not, heaven forfend, changed and in a place of deceit stands and does not descend. Nishmat Shabbetai ha-Levi has been reprinted several times, beginning with a Jerusalem (c. 1845) edition. |
