Two manuscript volumes, works of kabbalist R. Menachem Azariah (Rama) of Fano. [Italy, ca. late 16th or early 17th century].

The present volumes contain three works by R. Menachem Azariah, the Rama of Fano. The first volume contains Maamar HaNefesh and Maamar Maayan Ganim, and the second volume contains Maamar Meah Kesitah.

Scribal writing, in Italian script. In several places, marginal glosses by another, unidentified writer.

The Rama authored his works in several recensions, in each one revising the works in a different way, reordering their contents and dividing them differently. Over the course of this complicated editorial process, the recensions were copied several times by his disciples (see: R. Yosef Avivi, Kabbalistic Writings of the Rama of Fano, Sefunot, XIX, pp. 347 ff. [Hebrew]). The present item is one of those recensions originating from his circle, which calls for comparison with the other recensions. Maamar HaNefesh appears here in an early recension which also includes Maamar Olam Katan, which was later separated into its own chapter by the Rama (see: Avivi, ibid., p. 350).

The present manuscripts were copied in the Rama's lifetime, apparently by a disciple of his, as each volume contains the signature of censor Camilo Jaghel, dated 1619, before the Rama's passing in 1620.

In volume I on leaf 76, at the end of Maamar HaNefesh – concluding poem by "the wise poet R. Meshulam Sulam" (beginning "Nodeh LeEl Baruch"; this poem appears at the end of Olam Katan by the Rama of Fano, printed in Taalumot Chochmah by Yashar Delmedigo, Hanau 1629).