Smichat Chachamim by the Kabbalist Rabbi Naftali Katz – Frankfurt 1704-1706 – Nice, Complete Copy

A Divine book by the kabbalist Rabbi Naftali Ha'Cohen Katz, Av beit Din of Frankfurt am Mein. 1704-1706.
The book is titled "Birkat Hashem" and it contains two compositions: "Semichat Chachamim" which explains the proximity of the tractates and "Kedusha U'Veracha" whoch is commentary and novellae on the Berachot tractate of the Talmud. Thus, the book actually had three titles. Eventually, the title "Semichat Chachamim" was the one that remained.
The two compositions have very special illustrated title pages. The last leaf of the book (which is missing from some of the copies) "was omitted from the book Kedusha U'Veracha".
On the second leaf of the book, an impressive illustration with a poem written by the author about the "happenings and events" he had experienced. The poem is shaped like a star. Under the poem, commentary on it by the author. On the page after it, the poem is printed as usual.
The book was printed during the lifetime of its author, the kabbalist Rabbi Naftali Ha'Cohen Katz (1649-1718), one of the most prominent kabbalists of Ashkenaz. Served as Av Beit Din of Ostroh, Posen and Frankfurt am Mein.
When he was the rabbi of Posen, he became the head of the Council of the Four Lands, which was the central body of Jewish authority in Poland. In 1703 he became the rabbi of Frankfurt am Mein, which he escaped in 1710 due to a libel according to which a large fire in Frankfurt began due to his practicing practical Kabbala.
His grave in Constantinople attracts many who come to pray on it.
79; [1] 140, [1] leaves. 30 cm.
Condition: Good. Moth signs. Wear and tear on some of the leaves. The least leaf is partially restored. New binding.