Mashra Katrin
Constantinople, 1510
Exceptional rare sefer!
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The secret of the time of the Redemption described in Sefer Daniel by the Kabbalist Rabbi Avraham Halevi Hasephardi who lived in the era of the Spanish Expulsion.
According to the author’s calculation, Mashiach was supposed to be revealed in the year 1530. He intended to announce the upcoming revelation of Mashiach throughout the Diaspora.
Calculating the Time of the Geulah
The time of the Redemption and coming of Mashiach are alluded to in Sefer Daniel (see Megillah 3a, Rashi). Many have endeavored to solve the great mystery of Mashiach’s arrival. This was the first time such an attempt was published to the public.
Many were the sages who condemned the practice of calculating the arrival of Mashiach hinted to in Sefer Daniel (see commentary of the Ibn Ezra on Daniel 11:35). According to Chazal, one who calculates the end of times is fated to perish, yet the author responds to this challenge in the present sefer, as well.
According to the author’s calculations, Mashiach was supposed to be revealed in the Upper Galilee in the year 1530. He saw the events of his times, with the conquest of Istanbul by the Ottomans in the year 1453 and Spanish Expulsion in the year 1492, as part of the process of Redemption.
His conclusions are also mentioned by the Radbaz, who was a great Achron and Kabbalist, in his sefer Magen Dovid (Amsterdam, 1813 p. 39b):
“We have seen another holy sage…who wrote an essay entitled Mashra Katrin, and he cites a number of proofs that the Geulah was [supposed to be] in the year 1530…and it’s possible that the sins caused [it to be delayed].”
Rabbi Avraham Halevi Hasephardi Rabbi Avraham Halevi Hasephardi (circa 1470 – circa 1530) was a Spanish exile, and the brother-in-law of Rabbi Avraham Zacuto who authored Sefer Yuchsin. He fled to Italy and from there to Siriz, Greece where he wrote this sefer. He afterwords continued to Yerushalayim where he was appointed a Rosh Yeshivah.
Mashra Kitrin
The name of the sefer Mashra Kitrin is based on Sefer Daniel (5:12) as one of Daniel’s praises, who was “mashra kitrin, ” that is, he “opened bonds” (see Meturgaman Shoresh קטר), meaning Daniel revealed hidden things. In the present sefer, the author likewise reveals the secret of Redemption.
Constantinople, 1510. First and only printing Size: 20 cm • Page Count: 19 leaves • Condition: Artistic restoration on the first and last pages and repairs in the corners of the margins, new binding • Provenance: Private Collection, New York.
Bibliography: Yaari Istanbul 12. Malachi Beis Aryeh, wrote in his introduction to the microfilm editions of the sefer (Jerusalem, 1978, p. 12) that this sefer is
“Exceptionally rare.”
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