Detail Description

Kabbalistic work on repentance, prayer, and correct behavior, by R. Moses ben Menahem Graf (Moses Praeger, 1650-1700/1710). Graf was the author of Shiv'im Shemot de-Metatron  (Wilhermsdorf, 1678, above) on the seventy names of the angel Metatron, and of Va- Yakhel Moshe (1699), kabbalistic discourses and commentary on passages in the Zohar. A student of R. David Oppenheim, both Zera Kodesh and Va- Yakhel Moshe were published with the support of Oppenheim and R. Samson Wertheimer of Vienna.

The title page has a border of double rows of florets with verses between the rows on all four sides, Its text states,

"like a terebinth tree, or like an oak, whose stump remains, when they cast their leaves; so the holy seed shall be its stump (zera kodesh matsavtah)" (Isaiah 6:13) ....

In this desirable work can be found all the tikkunim (corrective measures) and hazhorot (cautions) that "a man shall do and live by them" (Leviticus 18:5, Ezekiel 20:11, 13, 21), that he should not come, God forbid, to stumble, for no one is spared in this world from this stumbling block. Also there are pleasing works of inspiration and keys to the field of sacred apples (Kabbalistic referenc to the Shekhinah, the Divine presence), to find relief. All who read in it will be glad and his heart will rejoice ...

There is an approbation from R. Issachar Berman ber David Isaac Segal [Frankel], R. Graf's introduction in which he mentions Va- Yakhel Moshe several times, although Zera Kodesh was published first. The text, in a single column in rabbinic type, is comprised of kellalim. At the end of Zera Kodesh (43b-48a) is the record of an exorcism performed by R. Graf in Nikolsburg on a young man, Abraham ben Hayyim from Poland, who was possessed by an evil spirit, that controlled him for six years. R. Graf who drove this spirit out, required the subject to accept upon himself numerous difficult mortifications to atone for the spirit's sins. After many days, at the conclusion of the process on the spirit, it came before everyone in the form of a black cat complaining about bans placed upon it but not yet completely removed, which was finally done. Everyone saw that which Moses did before all Israel, before their eyes. The story is confirmed by R. Oppenheim and eleven other local rabbis.

Zera Kodesh has been reprinted several times. In the first reprint, with R. Simeon ben David Abiob's Bat Melekh (Venice, 1712), the recounting of the exorcism is omitted. The final four pages of that edition, begun in Frankfurt am Main, had to be completed in Venice due to a fire at Frankfurt.

R. Moses ben Menahem Graf (also known as Moses Praeger; 1650–1700/1710), kabbalist born in Prague. After the conflagration in the Prague ghetto (1689), R. Moses moved to Nikolsburg (Mikulov), where he studied under the kabbalist R. Eliezer Mendel b. Mordecai. He was given lodging and support by R. David Oppenheim, who, like R. Samson Wertheimer of Vienna, encouraged the publication of his writings. Leaving Nikolsburg, Moses attempted to settle in various European cities, reaching Fuerth in 1696 and Dessau in 1698. It is not certain whether he died there or whether he returned to Prague in his later years. Moses' published works include: Zera Kodesh and Va-Yakhel Moshe, a kabbalistic discussion of various portions of the Zohar and of the Adam de-Azilut, with a special commentary on the latter concept entitled Masveh Moshe, introduced and annotated by Samuel b. Solomon Kohen, cantor in Brody (Dessau, 1699). In this last work R. Graf often criticizes the teachings of R. Moses Cordovero and his followers

Bound with second work.

Hebrew Description

זרע קודש מצבתה : אות ברית קוד' ובזה הספר ... ימצא כל התיקונים והזהרות שיעשה האדם וחי בהם ... / שחיבר ... מהור"ר משה בן הר"ר מנחם ...

 שלחן ערוך של מהור"ר אליעזר הקטן   ... אשר חיבר הרב המקובל ... הדרשן ופייטן כמוהר"ר אלעזר [!] ליזר רעוויץ דיין מדינות באמבערג ... ולאחרונה ... הוסיף חתנו ... ר’ מנחם עזרי’ בן ... ר’ ארי’ יהודא ליב כ"ץ זצ"ל ... מדרשותיו לשבת שובה (דרוש לשבת תשובה ... פירוש ... על ברייתא דר’ ישמעאל) ... ‬

עמ’ [6-7]: זה הזמר איזן וחיקר ... המחבר. פותח: אספרי[!] בציון. תהילות לעליון. אוצר השירה והפיוט, א, עמ’ 318 מס’ 6989.

עמ’ [8]: הקדמה מחתן ... המחבר

עמ’ [17-18]: הג"ה מחתן ... המחבר. עמ’ [43]: אמר חתן ... המחבר ... אציג ... מה שמצאתי בשלחן ערוך של ... ר’ פייבש אב"ד ור"מ דק"ק קראקא ... שלא ישבע האדם באלו הימים ... ‬

עמ’ [55-56]: תפלת הדרך מא"י בקיצור.

References

BE bet 1781, zayin 669; EJ; JE; Heller, M., The 17th Century Hebtrerw Book pp1306-7

Bibliography of the Hebrew Book 1470-1960 #000166781