Sefer Kelach Pitchei Chochmah by the Ramchal - First, Chassididc Edtiion with the Rare Introduction - Koretz ...

Sefer Kelach Pitchei Chochmah by the Ramchal - First, Chassididc Edtiion with the Rare Introduction - Koretz, 1785

Sefer Kelach (קל"ח) Pitchei Chochmah by the Kabbalist Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (the Ramchal) with 138 rules for understanding Kabbalah. The book is an introduction to the Kabbalistic book Etz Chaim by the Ari. Like the other works of the Ramchal, this work too is clear and orderly, introducing Rabbeinu's method in interpreting the Ari's Kabbalah, which s based on 138 (קל"ח) basic assumptions, Pitchei Chochmah. First edition of this basic work on which HaGra's Kabbalah is based.

First edition - Koretz, 1785. 116 leaves.

In the National Library, the book appears in the Rare Book Collection. Stefansky Sifrei Yesod 370

At its beginning, a lengthy introduction by Rabbeinu titled Sefer Derech Etz Chaim, which is often studied as a work of itself.

Chassidic edition!

Amazingly, the first time the book was published was by the recommendation of leading Chassidic rabbis. On verso of the title page, an approbation by the Admor Rabbi Yaakov Yosef ben Yehuda (Rav Yeivi - one of the leading disciples of the Maggid of Mezeritch) of Ostroh and by the Gaon Rabbi Moshe Yom Tov ben Yitzchak Dayan of Koretz. In the editor's foreword, he cites Rav Yeivi: ...ששמע מפה קדוש... מור"ר דוב מ"מ דק"ק [המגיד] מעזריטש שאמר על המחבר הזה שאין דורו היו כדאי להבין צדקתו ופרישותו... מגודל חסרון דעתם דברו על צדיק עתק אשר לא כדת... כי לא כן משה עבדי בכל ביתי נאמן הוא...". It should be noted that this foreword is rare and was omitted from some copies (see below) apparently by the orders of the censor.

A copy with many moth holes - medium-poor condition