Manuscript, Sefer “Etz Chaim”, Kabbalistic commentary on the Rambam’s Sefer HaMitzvot, by Kabbalist Rabbi Yehuda Ibn Chanin. End of volume contains passages from preface of Rabbi Yehuda Ibn Chanin to his book “Sefer HaOhr”. [Morocco, c. 17th-18th century].
The divine Kabbalist Rabbi Yehuda son of Rabbi Ya’akov ben Chanin (c. 1540-1615), among greatest Kabbalists of Morocco and Algeria, resided in village of Akka [southwestern Morocco] where a group of Kabbalists, headed by the Ga’on Kabbalist Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon [the Rambam] Elbaz author of Sefer “Heichal HaKodesh” on the prayer book, studied the secret wisdom. One of his disciples was son of sister of Rabbi Yehuda, Kabbalist Rabbi Ya’akov Ifergan author of “Perach Shushan”, who cites him many times throughout his book “Mincha Chadasha”.
His composition, “Etz Chaim”, on the 248 positive commandments was printed approximately a hundred and seventy years after his death (Livorno, 1783), together with Sefer “Eshel Avraham” by Rabbi Avraham Tuviana. The remainder of his compositions: “Sefer HaOhr” on secret of cantillation notes and vowelization, “Minchat Yehuda” on the Torah, and others – were still not printed and appear only in manuscript form. [In book “Leshem Shevo V'Achlama” which contains homiletic literature on the world of emptiness, page 176, he cites sayings in his name and refers to him as “holy Rabbi Yehuda ben Chanin”].
Fine decorated Oriental writing. Beginning of manuscript incomplete. 152 leaves. Approx. 19 cm. Fair condition, stains, wear and tear. Unbound.