Chesed L'Avraham, by the kabbalist R. Avraham Azulai. Slavita, [1794]. One of the first books printed by R. Moshe Shapira Rabbi of Slavita (son of R. Pinchas of Korets). Approbations by prominent Chassidic leaders: R. Yaakov Shimshon of Shepetivka and R. Aryeh Leib of Volochisk.
This kabbalistic book was held in high esteem by great Chassidic leaders and is often cited in early Chassidic literature. "I have heard from those who speak the truth that the rebbe, author of Shulchan Aruch [HaRav] and of the Tanya, instructed to read his precious compositions" (from the approbation by R. Shimon Menashe Chaikin to the author's commentary to Tractate Avot printed in 1910).
The author, R. Avraham Azulai (1570-1644) was born in Fez, Morocco. He immigrated to Eretz Israel and settled in Hebron. When an epidemic broke out in 1619, he fled to Gaza, where he composed this book within five weeks. Most of the book is a collection and arrangement of the teachings of R. Moshe Cordovero, which at that time were still in manuscript form. A small part of the content is from the Arizal's writing. The book was first printed in 1685 in two simultaneous editions, in Amsterdam and in Sulzbach, and later reprinted in Slavita in 1794.
Signatures on the title page and following leaf: "Nachum son of R. Avraham Menachem Mendel". Additional inscriptions and a stamp.
[6], 87; 8, 8-11, 11-34, [1] leaf. Approx. 20 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including significant dampstains. Wear. Marginal tears to first leaves. Tears to leaf 20, without loss. Worming to several leaves. New binding.