Manuscript
Shaar Hakavanos
Handwritten by the Kabbalist Rabbi Yosef Zarka
Tunisia, circa 1740
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Manuscript of Shaar Hakavanos by Rabbi Chaim Vital on the prayers of Shabbos and Festivals , edited by his son Rabbi Shmuel Vital. This manuscript was handwritten by the holy kabbalist Rabbi Yosef Zarka, who was the greatest of Tunisian Rabbis in his generation.
Rabbi Yosef Zarka (1722-1798) was one of the greatest spiritual masters and teachers of Torah in Tunisia. The Chida attests that “he had sixty disciples, among them the greatest of scholars” including Rabbi Yitzchak Taib, author of Aruch Hashulchan, and Rabbi Yehuda Najar, author of Limudei Hashem.
During this era, Tunisia had a group of select kabbalists, and Rabbi Yosef Zarka was recognized as the greatest kabbalist in the chabura. The Chida likewise writes that he was “a scholar and sofer, pious, pure and righteous” (Maagal Tov p. 57).
The Chida encountered Rabbi Yosef Zarka during a visit to Tunisia, and he inscribed that there was “great friendship” between them. Rabbi Yosef Zarka was known to write Sifrei Torah in a state of absolute purity and sanctity based on the kavanos of the Arizal. His written legacy includes Od Yosef Chai and Parpara’os L’Chochmah (Tunisia, 1904).
In addition this manuscript features handwritten copies of glosses by Rabbi Meir Poppirash on Shaar Hakavanos with various distinctions from the known printed glosses.
There are also glosses by a great anonymous kabbalist who signs his name only with the initials “A.C.” (see below).
Rabbi Meir Poppirash’ Comments on Shaar Hakavanos
Following Rabbi Chaim Vital’s kavanos for Shabbos and Yom Tov are two pamphlets that include copies of comments inscribed by the venerable kabbalist Rabbi Meir Poppirash on Shaar Hakavanos. The first pamphlet was written in Spanish-Dutch script, and the second in Italian script. These glosses vary slightly from the famous comments by Rabbi Meir Poppirash that appear in Shaarei Binah (Salonika, 1813).
Unknown Marginalia by Anonymous Kabbalist
The manuscript also boasts a large number of important handwritten glosses and marginalia by an unknown kabbalist whose wisdom and erudition in Torah and kabbalistic works are evident from his writings which reference many sefarim and offer profound insights on Shaar Hakavanos.
In his glosses, he compares the present manuscript of Shaar Hakavanos to the Shaar Hakavanos prepared and edited by the saintly kabbalist and Admor Rabbi Nosson Shapira, which is also only extant in handwritten manuscripts. He also cites other kabbalistic works which at the time were only available in manuscripts such as Adam Yashar, Siddur Chemdas Yisrael by Rabbi Shmuel Vital, Adam Yashar by Mahar”i Tzemach and Maaseh Choshev by Rabbi Avraham Azzoulay, as well as the writings of the Ramaz.
The kabbalist signs his name only with the initials A.C., and his identity remains unknown.
Tunisia, circa 1740. [177] leaves; original page count: 264-320; 2, 103, 15 leaves. Page size: 21×16 cm. Approximately 30 lines per page. The manuscript includes writings in three types of script: Tunisian Spanish (body); Italian and European Spanish. Many holes and old tape reinforcements throughout the manuscript ; last page of the pamphlet in Italian script has a small tear with a small amount of missing text. Simple old binding.
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