Semichat Chachamim, Part I: Birkat Hashem, Part II: Kedushah UVerachah, novellae on Tractate Berachot by R. Naphtali HaKohen Katz, Rabbi of Frankfurt am Main. Frankfurt am Main: Johann Wust, [1704-1706]. First edition. Both parts illustrated with elaborate engraved title page. The first title page is followed by a star-shaped poem.

The first part constitutes a lengthy kabbalistic introduction, while the second part contains novellae on Tractate Berachot.
Printed in the lifetime of the author, the celebrated Ashkenazi kabbalist R. Naftali Katz (1650-1719), rabbi of Ostroh, Posen and Frankfurt am Main. Appointed at the young age of 40 to the Council of Four Lands, the highest authority in Ashkenazi lands.
Ownership inscription of R. Leib Estrich on title page. Inscription of R. Meir Binga on the verso of leaf 140.

79; [1], 140, [1] leaf. 31.5 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Open tears, including to first title page and second leaf (with the star-shaped poem), affecting the title frame and the text on the second leaf, repaired with paper filling (with replacement of title frame by hand and replacement of text on second leaf and star-shaped poem in photocopy). Much worming, affecting text, partially repaired with tape and paper filling. New leather binding.

After leaf 140 is bound the rare leaf of addenda added after the book was printed. This leaf does not appear in the digitized copy on Otzar HaHochma, but does appear at the end of the digitized copy on the HebrewBooks website.

PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.