Leaves from a manuscript of practical Kabbalah, with segulot, amulets and incantations in the handwriting of R. Chaim Yosef David Azulai, the Chida and with supplements in the handwriting of his son R. Refael Yeshaya Azulai Rabbi of Ancona. [Italy, late 18th century].
Four handwritten leaves, beginning with a long section in Italian script (see below) and followed by two and a half pages (about 70 lines) in the handwriting of the Chida. He wrote 30 clauses containing amulet versions, Holy Names, incantations and segulot for various occasions.
In the first clause, the Chida sketched the form of an amulet with Angels' Seals and wrote: "Amulet on parchment for protection from all harm whether at day or night, whether at sea or on dry land, tried and true". Further in the manuscript he cites "the Awesome Name mentioned by the Rosh during the time of shmad (persecution) and no person could harm him…". This is followed by amulets, segulot and incantations for various situations and occasions, such as: "For a crying child, write this and hang it upon him…", "To find favor", "To remove desire", "If a man hates his wife…", "So you should not fear any person…", "To calm the sea from its rage…", "To enter the presence of a ruler or official…", "To retrieve a lost object", "To be saved from all harm and from enemies…", "To shut the mouth of an adversary so he will not slander you…", "For he who is troubled by a spirit or demon…", "To reveal the thief…", "For a woman whose husband hates her…", "To intimidate a foe…", "For a storming sea", "For a woman to acquire her husband's love ", etc.
After the 30 clauses written by the Chida, his son, R. Refael Yeshaya Azulai, added another clause, numbered 31, with another segula: "To defeat your enemy…".
On the next page, R. Yeshaya Azulai added a text for an amulet "For love", with illustrations of Angels' Seals, and two other segulot "For love".
Three columns appear on the first and second leaves with a copying in Italian script: "Introduction to the book Sela HaMachlokot authored by R. Avraham Roman" [This book by R. Avraham Romano remained in manuscript form and was never printed, however, its introduction was printed at the beginning of the book Milchemet Chovah, Constantinople 1710].
This is followed by several rhyming epigrams in Sephardi writing (numbered in clauses 2-5. The copy of the preceding introduction is numbered 1).
The Chida - R. Chaim Yosef David Azulai (1724-1806), a leading posek, kabbalist, exalted Torah scholar, prolific author and famous rabbinical emissary, wrote over 80 compositions on all facets of the Torah and was a renowned emissary. Born in Jerusalem, son of R. Raphael Yitzchak Zerachya Azulai, a Jerusalemite scholar and great-grandson of Kabbalist Rabbi Avraham Azulai, author of Chesed Le'Avraham. From his early years, he was a disciple of leading Jerusalemite scholars and kabbalists, including Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar, the Or HaChaim HaKadosh. He began studying kabbalah at the Beit E-l Yeshiva for Kabbalists headed by R. Shalom Mizrachi Sharabi, the holy Rashash, and was a contemporary of R. Yom Tov (Maharit) Algazi who studied with him in the yeshiva.
The Chida's son, R. Refael Yeshaya Azulai (1743-1826), was an illustrious Torah scholar rabbi, posek and leader of Italian Jewry in his times. Some of his halachic responsa were printed in books authored by his father who honored and esteemed him and always mentioned him with epithets of love ("my dear son", "my firstborn son, the perfect great chacham", "the light of my eyes", "friend of my soul", etc.). In 1785, after the death of R. Avraham Yisrael, Rabbi of Ancona, the community leaders applied to the Chida and he hinted that his son Rabbi Refael Yeshaya is suitable for this position. The latter served many years as Rabbi of Ancona until his death on the 9th of Shevat 1826 (he lived 83 years, like his father). He was greatly honored at his death and was mourned by his congregation for a long time thereafter [for further information see the book by Meir Benayahu on the Chida, pp. 476-487].
[4] leaves, [7] written pages (two and a half pages in the Chida's handwriting and one and a half pages in the handwriting of R. Refael Yeshaya Azulai). 18 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, dampstains, worming. Separate leaves.
Enclosed is a handwritten and signed authorization by the well-known researcher (expert on the history of the Chida), Prof. Meir Benayahu, affirming that these leaves were written by the Chida.