Auction 100 – Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
Raziel HaMalach – Amsterdam, 1701 – First Edition – Segulah Book
Opening: $8,000
Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000
Sold for: $23,750
Including buyer's premium
"This is the book of Adam HaRishon given to him by Raziel HaMalach". Kabbalah and segulot. Amsterdam: Moses Mendes Coitinho, 1701. First edition. Many kabbalistic illustrations.
First edition, compiled and printed directly from manuscripts. This book is the source of many well-known segulot, such as for remembering Torah study, a protective amulet for a woman giving birth, etc. Merely having this book in the house is a reputed segulah for protection from harm and fire, as stated on the title page: "An excellent segulah to bear wise and sage sons; for success, blessing and to extinguish fire, so that it not affect one's home, and no demon or evil incident will affect the dwelling of one who keeps this holy, awesome book safe with his money in his treasury, and in times of fear and trouble it will afford him speedy salvation. And this will be attested to by any Torah observer". Some say that it is a segulah for the childless and for women experiencing difficult labor.
On p. 42b is printed the text of an amulet followed by a special prayer: "May you open the heart of Leib son of Sarah to study Torah… and Torah rationales, secrets and depths, and may his heart be like a flowing spring…". A Chassidic tradition finds hinted in this prayer the wondrous powers of the tzaddik R. Leib Sarah's (Leib son of Sarah), a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov. The book was printed about thirty years before his birth (see: Shem HaGedolim HeChadash, letter lamed, leaves 42-43).
18, [1], 19-45 leaves. 24 cm. Wide margins. Most leaves in good condition. Stains. Light wear to several leaves. Open tear to title page, affecting text on verso, and small marginal tears to several other leaves. Inner margin of title page repaired with paper. Early binding, damaged.
CB, no. 4042; Zedner, p. 35; Roest, p. 50.
Kabbalistic Books
Kabbalistic Books