"Portae Lucis" by Rabbi Joseph ben Abraham Gikatilla (translated into Latin by Paolo Riccio [Paul Ricius]). Augsburg: Miller, 1516. Latin and some Hebrew.
First edition of the foundational kabbalistic work titled in Hebrew "[Sefer] Sha’arei Orah" (written during the 13th century), which, though originally written in Hebrew, appeared in its Latin translation some fifty years prior to the publication of the first Hebrew-language edition.
The book opens with a hand-painted woodcut depicting a scholarly Jew, seated in front of an ornate stone gate, contemplating a diagram, floating in the air, consisting of ten interconnecting medallions. This diagram represents the first "Ilan HaSefirot" – the so-called "Tree of the Sefirot" – to appear in print, with each medallion being labeled with the name of its corresponding "Sefira". An additional illustration of the "Tree of the Sefirot" appears inside the book, standing on its own against a blank background, the medallions labeled with Latin translations of the "Sefirot" instead of the original Hebrew. The book also features beautifully painted initials at the beginnings of chapters; the printer’s Mark appears in the final page of the book.
An exquisitely splendid copy of the book, in which the title page, initials, and various print characters are painted by hand. This copy was apparently in the possession of a learned individual well-acquainted with the Hebrew language, who saw fit to correct the form of the Hebrew characters on the title page and add Greek translations to the names of the "Sefirot" in their corresponding medallions in the diagram. On two of the pages, the owner of the copy added "manicule" symbols (lit. "small hand", used for emphasis at the time by contemporary scholars) to point to particular paragraphs or lines of text.

"Ilanot HaSefirot" ("Trees of the Sefirot")

Highly complex graphic compositions – unique to both Jewish thought and Jewish art – that integrate text, form, and illustration, typically in masterful fashion. They aim to visually present and explain "Hishtalshelut HaOlamot" – the development of the various "worlds" – in accordance with kabbalistic philosophy. The various Ilanot authored by different kabbalists, were not intended solely for rote study; they were also meant as a ritual tool enabling the kabbalist to mentally picture the structure of the "worlds" in the course of prayer and spiritual service. Later, they began to be used as amulets; as such they were attributed supernatural powers as a "Segulah", affording protection and promising success.
The present volume features the very first "Ilan Sefirot" to appear in print. It was authored by Rabbi Joseph ben Abraham Gikatilla (ca. 1248-1325), considered one of the greatest of Sephardi kabbalists. The renowned woodcut on the title page is today attributed to Leonhard Beck (1480-1542).

[110] leaves. 18.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Handwritten notation in margin of title page (old). Slight tears to edges of title, page, restored. Minor blemishes. Elegant leather binding (new).

For additional information regarding "Ilanot Sefirot", see: J.H. Chajes, "The Kabbalistic Tree", Pennsylvania University Press, 2022.
Exhibition: "The Book of Books: Biblical Canon, Dissemination and its People", Bible Lands Museum, Jerusalem, 2013.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, item no. NHB.137.