The Crown of Kabbalah
First Edition Zohar Authored by Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai; Mantua,
1558 – 1560
The most fundamental and influential Kabbalah Sefer
On Rosh Chodesh Iyar of 1558, the process of printing sefer Zohar from the Tana Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai commenced. The great Kabbalists of the time viewed the printing of this holy sefer and its resulting accessibility by the public as a Heavenly sign that its study would hasten the redemption.
Sefer Zohar undoubtedly stirred a revolution with regard to the study of Kabbalah, drastically changing the landscape of Torah study in the Torah world.
This first edition was published in Mantua 1558 – 1560 and was upheld as the most accurate version of the Zohar text.
The Arizal and his disciples used this present edition for the study of the Zohar, and whenever the Arizal’s disciples refer to the Zohar text, they use the page count of this present first edition version.
Many Rabbinic leaders opposed the printing and public distribution of Kabbalah, maintaining that Kabbalah should only be passed orally through teacher and disciple.
Countering this view, the present edition includes a long Halachic ruling from the Chacham Rabbi Yitzchak de Latisch, a senior rabbinical authority in Italy, who rules that not only was its publishing permitted, it was actually a mitzvah to publish this holy sefer.
This complete copy includes three parts (four title pages),
owner’s signature, and extensive marginalia on volume three.
Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod – Classics, No. 324
Breishis: [8], 251; Shemos: 269; Vayikra: 115; Bamidbar – Devarim: [2], 118-300 leaves | 20 cm | Professionally restored margins in first pages of part one and beginning and end of parts two and three, not affecting text | New leather bindings
