Sefer Kenaf Renanim, songs, bakashot and piyyutim for various occasions, with Kabbalistic explanations. By Rabbi Yosef Yedidya son of Rabbi Binyamin Yekutiel Karmi , a kabbalist, poet and sage in Modena, Italy.
Only Edition, Venice: Giovanni Caleoni, 1626.
The Polemic surrounding this Sefer:
Even Before this sefer was printed, a fierce polemic arose against these liturgical piyyutim which had spread among Italian sages. The author’s brother-in-law the famed Kabbalist Rabbi Aharon Berachya of Modena, author of Ma’avar Yabok, headed the conflict, opposing the premise of prayers composed by contemporaries, especially those which are not compatible with the Arizal’s kabbalistic approach.
Nonetheless, the sefer received enthusiastic approbations by Italian sages [see: M. Benayahu, Haskamah V’Reshut B’Defusei Venitzia, Jerusalem 1971, pp. 103-105]. In his second introduction to the sefer, the author writes at length about the background of the polemic and explains the claims of both parties and his rejoinder. In support of his standpoint he writes: "I have heard that a disciple of his disciple was the R. [the Rama] of Fano who saw in the vidui in Kenaf Renanim good things and thereafter was fond of it".
12; 107; [9] leaves. Lacking 2 leaves at end. 20 Cm.
Overall fair condition, stains, worming to pages and margins sometimes affecting text, some pages with small marginal tears, lacking last line of last page, later maroon leather binding.
Share this lot:
Lot #30