Kabbale

1845 — 1st edition thus. Later paper wrappers, 12mo, 24 leaves, 155:90 mm. In Yiddish, with title also transliterated on title page ("Hanoges Odom"). Title translates as, “The Book of Man's Leadership: ... How Every Jew Should Conduct Himself All His Days From Early to Evening ... and Many Laws.” Proper daily behavior for Jews. Contains Kabbalistic customs and practices based on the teachings of the Ari. The text includes detailed descriptions of the halakhot and customs of the Ari for weekdays, Shabbat and festivals, and daily occasions.Although published anonymously, this appears to be similar to the work of Rabbi Meir ben Judah Leib Poppers (died 1662). He was a kabbalist of Ashkenazi descent who was active in Jerusalem after 1640. A pupil of Rabbi Jacob Zemah, he became the last editor of the Lurianic writings. He divided the mass of Rabbi Vital's different versions of Rabbi Luria's teachings into three parts, Derekh Ez Hayyim, Peri Ez Hayyim, and Nof Ez Hayyim. Rabbi Poppers' version became the one in most widespread use in Poland and Germany. After 1640 he composed a large number of his own kabbalistical writings in the vein of Lurianic Kabbalah. They are said to have comprised 39 books, each of which contained the word or ("light") in its title, the entire corpus being called Kokhevei Or. Several parts have been preserved (Ms. Jerusalem no. 101, Ms. Rabbi Alter of Gur no. 170). They included commentaries on Sefer Bahir, on Nahmanides' Torah commentary, on the Zohar, and on Luria's writings according to his own edition (Ms. Jerusalem no. 102). In the latter manuscript Poppers reports that he had studied Rabbi Luria's writings for 17 years. Only two of these books have been published, this work and Or Zaddikim (Hamburg, 1690), written in Jerusalem in 1643, and later incorporated in Rabbi Moses Katz's compilation, Or ha-Yashar (Amsterdam, 1709); and Me'orei Or, a dictionary of kabbalistic symbolism, published with copious notes by Jacob Vilna and Nathan Neta Mannheim under the title Me'orot Natan (Frankfurt, 1709). In addition, Mesillot Hokhmah, a booklet summarizing Lurianic metaphysics in 32 paragraphs, later published under Rabbi Poppers' name (Shklov, 1785), was first printed anonymously (Wandsbeck, c. 1700). Rabbi Poppers is credited with the authorship of a graphic description and summary of the Lurianic system, in the form of a scroll, published under the title Ilan ha-Gadol (1864). This tree, however, shows the distinct influence of Rabbi Israel Sarug's version of Lurianism, which is not to be found in Poppers' other writings. Part of his homilies on the Torah were published as Tal Orot (1911). He mentions as his teachers one Rabbi Israel Ashkenazi and his father-in-law, Azariah Ze'evi (probably from Hebron). During the 1650s Poppers spent about two years in Constantinople. He died in Jerusalem. (EJ, 2007). SUBJECT(S): Jewish ethics. OCLC: 233362307. OCLC lists only one copy (NLI), which, it is noted is “missing the end,” after 24 leaves–exactly the same as our copy, so possibly as issued??? Some toning and stains. Good Condition, very rare. (YID-42-23)