Manuscript – Pri Etz Chaim, Kavanot for the Festivals – Alternate Redaction – Eastern Europe, 17th/18th Century – ...

Manuscript – Pri Etz Chaim, Kavanot for the Festivals – Alternate Redaction – Eastern Europe, 17th/18th Century – Glosses by Kabbalists

Manuscript, Pri Etz Chaim, kavanot of the Arizal by R. Chaim Vital. [Eastern Europe, 17th/18th century].
Neat Ashkenazic script. The manuscript comprises part of the kavanot for festivals by the Arizal. This work is for the main part similar to Pri Etz Chaim, teachings of the Arizal edited by R. Meir Poppers (part I – kavanot), though it contains many differences (textual variations, omissions and additional sections) in comparison with the original manuscript of the work (National Library – Jerusalem, Ms. 6720; written by the scribe of R. Meir Poppers), on which the Korets 1785 printed edition of Pri Etz Chaim is based (see: Avivi, Kabbalat HaAri, Part II, pp. 149-647). This is presumably an unknown redaction of the same work, and it requires further study.
Glosses of R. Meir Poppers were added in several places at the foot of the leaves, in a tiny, neat hand from the time of the writing (perhaps by the scribe himself; generally introduced by: "A.M." = Amar Meir, so says Meir).
Other marginal glosses by several writers; some containing copyings of teachings by earlier kabbalists, and others with original content – objections and novellae. We were unable to identify the writers.
Headings at the top of some pages: "Kavanot HaAri" and "Kavanot HaAri Part II".
The present manuscript is slightly lacking at the beginning and end (see Hebrew description for contents).

[7]-176 leaves. 19.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains (resulting in marginal ink fading in several places) and dark stains. Ink stains, slightly affecting text on two pages. Marginal wear and tears. Open tears to a few leaves, slightly affecting text. Several leaves at beginning of volume with large open tears affecting text, repaired with paper. New binding.

Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, EE.011.004.