× Bidding has ended on this item.
Ended

Sefer Haredim, R. Elazar Azkari, Venice 1601

ספר חרדים - First Edition - Kabbalah

Listing Image
Payment Options
Seller Accepts Credit Cards

Payment Instructions
You will be emailed an invoice with payment instructions upon completion of the auction.
Details
  • Lot Number 47397
  • Title (English) Sefer Haredim
  • Title (Hebrew) ספר חרדים
  • Note First Edition - Kabbalah
  • Author R. Elazar Azkari
  • City Venice
  • Publisher דפוס דניאל זניטי
  • Publication Date 1601
  • Estimated Price - Low 1,000
  • Estimated Price - High 3,000

  • Item # 1368800
  • End Date
  • Start Date
Description

Physical Description

First edition. 74(i.e. 82) ff., quarto, 190:138 mm., light age and damp staining. A good copy bound in modern half leather and marbled paper over boards, rubbed, spine torn.
        

Detail Description

Spiritual and ascetic manual, arranged according to the mitzvot in usage at the time and their division according to the limbs of the body and according to time. This book had a wide circulation and was printed in over 27 editions. It was also abridged, and a commentary was added to it.
 
R. Eleazar ben Moses Azkari, (1533–1600), kabbalist, studied under R. Joseph Sagis in Safed. In 1596 he was ordained by R. Jacob Berab II. His sole aim was spiritual perfection (tikkun), purification, and communion (devekut) with G-d. In 1571 he divided his day: two-thirds to be devoted to writing, and the remainder to a quiet, if peculiar, meditation. During this time he would not even study, but would sit in awed silence without moving, his eyes "focused upon G-d." During the years in which he practiced asceticism and adhered to this behavior, he advanced in the stages of devekut. In 1575 he thought of means by which he would entrust to G-d his spirit and soul. He drew up a "deed of association" with G-d, in the form of a legal document, the witnesses being Heaven and Earth. He also drew up a "deed of association" with R. Elijah Sasson and R. Yahal for the purpose of spiritual partnership and cooperation. The partners undertook "not to relinquish the Law of G-d," to refrain from all worldly activity, commerce, and work, and to devote all their time to the study of the Torah and the worship of G-d. An important place in the life of the group was taken by prayers and worship at the graves of revered rabbis such as those of R. Simeon b. Yohai at Meron, the tanna Abba Saul at Kefar Biriyyah, and the tanna R. Judah b. Ila'i at Ein Zeitin. The group was probably called "haverim makshivim" ("The harkening friends"). Apart from exercises in meditation they recited love poems to G-d, four of which were printed in Azikri's book Sefer Haredim; the best known is his poem "Yedid Nefesh" ("Faithful friend"), called by Azikri "prayer for union and the desire of love," written probably in 1584. This piyyut was accepted in all Jewish communities and is printed in the prayer book; because of its importance it was wrongly ascribed to R. Judah Halevi or to R. Israel Najara. Members of the group did not accept any public function and did not officiate as rabbis. They appeared in public only in order to exhort the people to repent.
 
The story oft recited is that one Lag B'Omer the Ari z'l and his disciples were dancing at the tomb of R. Simeon b. Yohai at Meron. Out of nowhere an old man appeared dressed like one of the common Sephardim, with a radiant face and started a dance of his own. The Ari z'l immediately stepped up to him and joined in the dance. His disciples were rather taken aback that the Ari z'l would dance with a common gent - and accordingly asked the Ari z'l to explain his actions. The Ari z'l paused for a moment and began, "Firstly, that was no ordinary man! That was R. Simeon b. Yohai himself. Secondly, he was dancing with R. Elazar Azkari and I should be embarrassed to join?"
 

Hebrew Description

Reference

Bibliography of the Hebrew Book 1470-1960 #000176681; EJ