Manuscript – Siddur Kavanot HaRashash – Jerusalem, 19th Century – Copy of Rabbi Masoud HaKohen Alhadad, Kabbalist ...

Manuscript – Siddur Kavanot HaRashash – Jerusalem, 19th Century – Copy of Rabbi Masoud HaKohen Alhadad, Kabbalist in the Beit El Yeshiva, with His Glosses

Manuscript, Siddur Kavanot HaRashash, for the Mincha prayer of Erev Shabbat, Mincha of Erev Pesach, Birkat Kohanim, Vihi Noam, the Amidah prayer for the Three Festivals, Hallel and Musaf for Rosh Chodesh. [Jerusalem, ca. late 19th century].
Neat copying, in square script and Oriental Rashi script, in the style used by the scribes of the Beit El yeshiva when producing copies of the siddur with kavanot.
Complete manuscript, with gilt-decorated leather binding; name of owner lettered in gilt: "Masoud HaKohen" – R. Masoud HaKohen Alhadad, kabbalist in the Beit El yeshiva in Jerusalem and dean of the yeshiva for many years (see previous item).
Leaves 74-80: Introductions to the Amidah prayer by R. Yedidya Refael Abulafia; leaves 81-89: additional introductions to the Amidah prayer.
Leaves 99-100 (written in different hands): comments to Seder night kavanot; Shema Kolenu blessing with prayer for times of drought.

[100] leaves. 20.5 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear. Original leather binding, with gilt ornaments, slightly damaged.

Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, EI.011.004.

Manuscripts of Siddur HaRashash in the Gross Family Collection
Siddur HaRashash was a siddur with kabbalistic kavanot based on the writings of the Arizal and R. Chaim Vital. The siddur was edited by the kabbalists of the Beit El yeshiva in Jerusalem, based on the siddur compiled by their teacher the Rashash – R. Shalom Mizrachi Sharabi, dean of the Beit El yeshiva in the mid-18th century. For many years, copyings of Siddur HaRashash were produced from accurate manuscripts proofread by the kabbalists in the yeshiva.
Prayer using the manuscripts of the siddur was the privilege of just a few kabbalists. In general, the kabbalists themselves produced various copyings of Siddur HaRashash for their personal use, or entrusted them to reliable kabbalists only. Each of these manuscripts bore the stamp of the kabbalist who copied it, through the emendations and additions he inserted.
For many years, the siddur was zealously and intentionally kept in manuscript form only, without being printed at all. Only in 1911-1912 did several Ashkenazi kabbalists of Yeshivat Shaar HaShamayim in Jerusalem finally initiate the printing of the siddur, and parts I and II were published. Parts III-IX were printed later, presumably in 1916.
The Beit El yeshiva of kabbalists, also known as Midrash HaChassidim or Kehal Chassidim, was founded in Jerusalem in 1737 by R. Gedalia Hayun, and was designated as a place for studying kabbalah. Ever since, the kabbalists of Jerusalem have gathered to study there, directed by foremost kabbalists. Of particular prominence were R. Shalom Sharabi (the Rashash), who headed the yeshiva, and his successor R. Yom Tov Algazi. Reputedly, R. Gershon of Kitov – brother-in-law of the Baal Shem Tov, also studied there. Following the passing of R. Chaim Avraham Gagin in 1848, R. Yedidia Refael Abulafia (1806-1869), was appointed in his stead, a position he held until his passing. R. Abulafia's disciples include the sons of Rebbe Moshe of Lelov; the Imrei Binah Rabbi of Jerusalem; R. Shalom Moshe Chai Gagin, who succeeded him as dean of the Beit El yeshiva; and others.
Presented here is a unique collection of manuscripts of Siddur HaRashash from the Gross Family Collection, which reflects the tradition of manuscript transmittal of the Siddur HaRashash amongst kabbalists. Some of the present siddurim were scribed by most prominent kabbalists of the Beit El yeshiva, including R. Yosef Edrehi (scribe of the Rashash), R. Yedidia Refael Abulafia, R. Nissim Zerachya Azulai (grandson of the Chida), R. Yitzchak Moshe Ferrera, R. Masoud HaKohen Alhadad, and others.
Regarding the development of Siddur HaRashash, see: R. Moshe Hillel, The Rashash's Meditation Prayer Books, Between Tradition and Innovation, in: Windows on Jewish Worlds, Essays in Honor of William Gross, ed. Shalom Sabar, Emile Schrijver, Falk Wiesemann, pp. 205-239. An addendum at the end lists the manuscripts of Siddur HaRashash found in the Gross Family Collection.