Beschreibung
In Hebrew. 84 pages (10 signatures of 4 leaves, 11th signature is of 2) 225 x 133 mm. Libraries worldwide that own item: 5. Vinograd Berlin 306. StCB 6511,3. Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (also Moses Chaim, Moses Hayyim, also Luzzato) (1707-1746 (26 Iyar 5506)), also known by the Hebrew acronym RaMCHaL (RaMHaL), was a prominent Italian Jewish rabbi, kabbalist, and philosopher. Born in Padua, he received classical Jewish and Italian educations, showing a predilection for literature at a very early age. He may have attended the University of Padua and certainly associated with a group of students there, known to dabble in mysticism and alchemy. With his vast knowledge in religious lore, the arts, and science, he quickly became the dominant figure in that group. His writings demonstrate mastery of the Tanakh, the Talmud, and the rabbinical commentaries and codes of Jewish law. The turning point in Luzzatto's life came at the age of twenty, when he received direct instruction from a mystical being known as the maggid. While such stories were not unknown in kabbalistic circles, it was unheard of for someone of such a young age. His peers were enthralled by his written accounts of these "Divine lessons", but the leading Italian rabbinical authorities were highly suspicious and threatened to excommunicate him. Just one hundred years earlier another young mystic, Shabbatai Zvi (d.1676), had rocked the Jewish world by claiming to be the Messiah. Although, at one point, Zvi had convinced many European and Middle Eastern rabbis of his claim, the episode ended with him recanting and converting to Islam. The global Jewish community was still reeling from that, and the similarities between Luzzatto's writings and Zvi's were perceived as being particularly dangerous and heretical. These writings, only some of which have survived, are often misunderstood to describe a belief that the Ramchal and his followers were key figures in a messianic drama that was about to take place. He identified one of his followers as the Messiah son of David, but assumed for himself the role of Moses, claiming that he was that biblical figure's reincarnation. After threats of excommunication and many arguments, Luzzatto finally came to an understanding with many of the Rabbanim, including his decision not to write the maggid's lessons or teach mysticism. In 1735, Luzzatto left Italy for Amsterdam, believing that in the more liberal environment there, he would be able to pursue his mystical interests. Passing through Germany, he appealed to the local rabbinical authorities to protect him from the threats of the Italian rabbis. They refused and forced him to sign a document stating that all the teachings of the maggid were false. Most of his writings were burned, though some did survive. From the Zoharic writings, the 70 Tikounim `Hadashim re-appeared in 1958 against all odds, in the Library of Oxford. "Arrangements" of thoughts, these Tikounim expose 70 different essential uses of the last verse of the Humash (the five books of Moses). Taught word-by-word in Aramit by the maggid of the Ram`hal, they parallel the Tikouney haZohar of the Rashbi, which expose the 70 fundamental understandings of the first verse of the `Houmash. When Luzzatto finally reached Amsterdam, he was able to pursue his studies of the kabbalah relatively unhindered. Earning a living as a diamond cutter, he continued writing but refused to teach. One major rabbinic contemporary who praised Luzzatto's writing was Rabbi Eliyahu of Vilna, the Vilna Gaon (1720?1797), who was considered to be the most authoritative Torah sage of the modern era as well as a great kabbalist himself. He was reputed to have said after reading the Mesillat Yesharim, that were Luzzatto still alive, that he would have walked from Vilna to learn at Luzzatto's feet; Vilna is 2,000 km from Italy. Bestandsnummer des Verkäufers 015545
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