Lengthy letter (3 pages), handwritten and signed by R. Shabtai Ventura Rabbi of Spalatro, author of Nahar Shalom, addressed to R. Mordechai Tzemach Viterbo of Ancona, regarding copying the Etz Chaim manuscript (by R. Chaim Vital), and other topics. [Spalatro, today Split, Croatia], Shevat 8, 1771.
R. Shabtai begins the letter with a detailed account of his difficult financial situation and of the creditors who are hounding him, and then relates to R. Mordechai Tzemach Viterbo's request to copy for him the Etz Chaim composition – teachings of the Arizal recorded by R. Chaim Vital. He writes that the copy of Etz Chaim in his possession contains close to six hundred large leaves in Rashi script, and the task of copying it would be tedious and protracted. He also expresses his hesitation to copy this manuscript, since his primary teacher, R. David Pardo, allowed him to copy this composition on condition it would remain in his possession. He describes in effusive terms the significance of the manuscript he owns, writing that it is unique in the whole of Italy, and relating that he was aware of one scholar in Livorno who would pay fifty gold coins for it, yet was unable to obtain it. R. Shabtai writes that he is willing to copy the manuscript for him over the course of three years, on condition it would remain a secret, and requesting in exchange 25 Venetian gold coins, plus the repayment of one of his debts. He describes the importance of the Etz Chaim composition, which all Kabbalistic teachings are based upon, writing that if he would understand the supremacy of this item, through which a person can reach tremendous heights in this world and in the next, he would realize that the price he is requesting is not excessive.
One passage in the letter contains an interesting record of how the Etz Chaim manuscript travelled from Aleppo, Syria to Europe, with the Kabbalist R. Yaakov Belilios – teacher of R. David Pardo (who was in turn the teacher of R. Shabtai): "The Etz Chaim presently in the possession of my teacher, was previously held in the archives of R. Yaakov Belilios, his teacher, who attained it through much trouble and expense in Haleb (Allepo), and after the passing of his aforementioned teacher, the latter's brother, who was in very dire straits, sold it to R. David Pardo as a merit for his brother's soul, receiving in exchange a very substantial sum of money…".
Regarding this letter, its significance and historical setting, see the article by R. Moshe Hillel, The Identity of the Copyist of the Etz Chaim Book with the Colophon from 1579, in Chitzei Giborim, 10, Nisan 2017, pp. 847-911 (see enclosed material).
R. Shabtai Ventura (1732-1799) a renowned Rabbi and posek in his generation, was the rabbi of Spalatro (Split, today: Croatia), reputed for his Halachic composition Nahar Shalom on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim. He was a close disciple of R. David Pardo, who served before him as rabbi of Spalatro. His book Nahar Shalom is quoted extensively in Halachic works of recent generations, including in Mishna Berura by the Chafetz Chaim. His prominence in Halacha and in revealed realms of the Torah is well-known, yet here is a document testifying to his engagement in Kabbalah, and particularly in copying Kabbalistic manuscripts (for more details see the abovementioned article by R. Hillel).
[3] pages. 28 cm. Good-fair condition. A few stains. Pest damage and large marginal open tears, not affecting text. Folding marks.