Hatchalat Ha-Chochma, compiled by a disciple of Rabbi Isaac Luria- the Holy Ar”i Za”l. Seventy-eight chapters.
Ashkenazic semi-cursive script. Manuscript on paper. 18.5 Cm.
According to the colophon at the end it was completed on 1 Adar 5411 (= 1651).
Flyleaf with kabbalistic prayers in a different hand.
[2] 1-9,[10-40] Leaves.
37 written sides.
Overall Good condition. thick pages, stains, pages have small marginal tears and frayed lower corners, first couple and last couple pages have minor worming in left margin not affecting text, new later tan brown leather binding.
PROVENANCE: Daniel Itzig (stamped). Christies, 23 June 1999, Sale of important Hebrew Manuscripts & printed books from the library of the London Beth Din, lot 40. (Where it made $2990, together with our next lot)
REFERENCES: Neubauer, no. 91, p. 39.
Daniel Itzig was A German banker; head of the Jewish communities of Prussia (1764-99); born 1722; died at Berlin May 21, 1799. Itzig was a member of the wealthy banking firm of Itzig, Ephraim & Son, whose financial operations greatly assisted Frederick the Great in his wars. He was also the owner of the large lead-factories at Sorge as well as of the oil-mill at Berlin, being one of the few Jews permitted to engage in such enterprises. In 1756 Itzig was appointed "Münzjude" (mint-master) by Frederick the Great, and again in 1758, together with his partner Ephraim.
In 1797 Itzig became "Hofbankier" (court-banker) under Frederick William II. When the latter came to the throne he instituted a commission to examine into the grievances of the Jews and to suggest measures for their relief. Itzig, with his son-in-law David Friedländer, was appointed general delegate to that body. They had the courage to expose to the conference the cruel legislation of Frederick the Great and to refuse the inadequate reforms proposed (König, "Annalen der Juden im Preussischen Staate, " p. 236).
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