Kabbalistic commentary on the Torah, by R. Menachem Recanati. Venice: Daniel Bomberg, 1523. First edition.

R. Menachem Recanati, a posek and kabbalist – one of the first Italian kabbalists in the 13th and 14th centuries. Named for his city in Italy, his biography is shrouded in mystery. His teachings are influenced by the Gerona kabbalists – R. Yitzchak the Blind and his circle, and the Ramban and his successors. He was also influenced by the Castilian kabbalists, including R. Yosef Gikatilla and R. Moshe de Leon. He was simultaneously influenced by the German pietists, with his works containing quotations from R. Yehudah HeChassid and R. Elazar of Worms. His halachic rulings also show the influence of the laws and customs of the Ashkenazi world. His lengthiest and most important work is his Torah commentary, of which the present item is the first edition. This work exerted a heavy influence on the kabbalists of the following generations. His work covers the entire Torah, following the kabbalistic method. He quotes from the Zohar extensively, and he is in fact the earliest kabbalist to cite it consistently by that name (see: Boaz Huss, KeZohar HaRakia, Jerusalem 2008, p. 62). His other works include Taamei HaMitzvot, Constantinople 1544; Piskei Recanati, Bologna 1538. There are known to have been other works of his which are no longer extant (see further: Moshe Eidel, R. Menachem Recanati HaMekubal, Tel Aviv 1998).

The Recanati commentary on the Torah was one of the first kabbalistic books to be printed, and it contains many quotations from the Zohar (which was first printed only in 1558). The colophon states that the printing was completed on "Monday, 35th day of the count [Iyar], 1523".

This is the second book proofread by the famous proofreader Yaakov son of Chaim ibn Adoniyahu at the Bomberg press (the first being Tzror HaMor, printed that year). The beginning of the book contains an introduction by Yaakov son of Chaim, pertaining to kabbalah.

The present copy contains hundreds of glosses in Italian cursive script, characteristic of the period the book was printed. Some are particularly lengthy (most are slightly trimmed). These glosses constitute a book-length work, and understanding its contents and importance requires in-depth study. It appears that the writer copies selections from many kabbalistic sources, some of which were not yet printed at the time the glosses were written, such as the Zohar and early kabbalistic books. A significant portion of the glosses relate to Sefer HaTemunah. Dozens of glosses cite "a gloss on the commentary to HaTemunah". Some of the sources which were available to the author are unknown to us. In many places he writes "I found written" or "up to this point is what I found", where we were unable to identify the source. Other sources quoted in his glosses include: the Zohar, Tikunei Zohar, Sefer HaBahir, "Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai in his commentary to Shir HaShirim", Midrash Ruth, Me'irat Einayim, Livnat HaSapir, Brit HaMenuchah, Sod Hashem, the introduction of the Raavad to Sefer Yetzirah, Sefer HaYichud by R. Asher son of R. David, Nefesh HaChachamah by R. Moshe de Leon; and more. On p. 92b: "Thus far the quote from this author, R. Menachem, in his commentary on the prayers". In a few places he adds his own ideas, as on p. 89b: "Thus far from Livnat HaSapir – I am very much astounded at this statement and I couldn't comprehend it, because…". On p. 112a: "These degrees of emanation are supernal days like the sabbatical and jubilee years… and these are tremendously concealed and spiritual things in emanation, and we do not know what they are due to their delicateness, and this is a profound knowledge according to the third degree of this science which was possessed by the prophets". In several places, it appears that he copied glosses from a glossated copy which he possessed. For example, on p. 41b: "End of glosses I found in the copy on Parashat Chayei Sarah – Glosses on Parashat Toldot"; on p. 102b: "Glosses on Parashat Emor; since the sheet is too close for comfort, I began them here".

Signature on title page (somewhat trimmed): "Came to my portion when I divided with my brothers… Eliezer Ashkenazi son of R. Chaim MiSalman". Apparently, he is the brother of "Moshe MiSalman", i.e. "Moshe son of R. Chaim Ashkenazi", mentioned in Ms. Kaufman (Budapest) A 572, in Mantua, 1594.

Censorship expurgations on some leaves.

Signatures of censors on last leaf: Laurentius Franguellus, 1575; Hippolytus Ferrariensis, 1602; Giovanni Domenico Vistorini, 1610. 

[155] leaves. 25.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear and tears. Detached leaves and gatherings. Old leather binding, damaged (front detached).