Handwritten Manuscript by the Holy Kabbalist Rabbi Nosson Shapira, Author of Matzas Shimurim
What are the prerequisites to studying kabbalah?
This handwritten leaf by the righteous Kabbalist Rabbi Nosson Shapira describes the attributes needed for learning kabbalah and conditions for its study.
The leaf contains a handwritten note that begins “In the humble opinion of Nosson…to teach us that one should not engage in learning Talmud exclusively…but together with its pshat and sod.”
The saintly kabbalist Rabbi Nosson Shapira, author of Matzas Shimurim, embarked on a journey from the Holy Land in 1656 to Italy to fundraise for the destitute Yishuv in Jerusalem. In the course of his wanderings, he published his renowned works
Tuv Ha’aretz,
Yayin Hameshumar and
Matzas Shimurim, which were enthusiastically received by the great sages of the era. After completing his mission, he settled in Reggio where he passed away in 1666.
Rabbi Nosson brought “bundles and bundles of writings from the Arizal” (preface to Shaarei Tziyon by Harav Nosson Nota Hanover) to Italy and edited them during his final years. Italian kabbalists copied and studied his writings which were then disseminated throughout Europe.
Among the works of the Arizal and Rabbi Chaim Vital that were edited by Harav Nosson Shapira are Pri Eitz Chaim (Koritz, 1882); Machberes Hakodesh – Sefer Hakavanos L’Shabbos U’Moadim (Koritz, 1882); Sefer Hagilgulim (Premishlan, 1875) and others.
Double-sided handwritten leaf, written on 4 columns:
Column 1: The Arizal’s opinion that there is no conflict between pshat and sod (Nagid U’mitzvah)
Column 2: ‘Attributes of Engaging in the Wisdom of Kabbalah’ and requisite conditions (Rabbi Chaim Vital’s preface to Eitz Chayim with minor changes), as well as other kabbalistic writings.
Verso:
Partial copy of letters written by the kabbalist Rabbi Shimshon Beck of Tzfas in 1582-1583 regarding the Arizal and his disciple Rabbi Yosef Mugrahbi. (These letters were first published by Kafuman and appeared in print in Yerushalayim by Luntz Year 2, Jerusalem, 1887; pp. 141-147).
[1] leaf; 2 handwritten sides. 21×15 cm. Small holes, professionally restored. Preserved in attractive new leather binding.
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Lasting Legacy
Harav Nosson Shapira’s writings had a significant impact on the customs sourced from kabbalah and its wisdom. One widespread example, whose original source is from the writings of Harav Nosson Shapiro, is the custom of reciting the verses of ‘V’erastich li l’olam’ while wrapping tefillin straps around the fingers.
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