The First Edition of Sefer Hazohar. Cremona, [1559-1560].

The First Edition of Sefer Hazohar. Cremona, [1559-1560].

Kabbalistic Sefer Yesod: The first and Rare edition of the Zohar

Sefer Hazohar Hakadosh by the Tana Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, an edition based on a manuscript, with references on the margins.

In the year during which, for the first time, it was allowed to print the Sefer Hazohar and distribute it to the masses, two editions were printed simultaneously in two Italian towns, Mantova and Cremona.

Sefer Hazohar which was printed in Cremona was in large format, whereas that printed in Mantova was in small format. To distinguish between them, the Mekubalim titled the Cremona edition Zohar Gadol and the Mantova edition, Zohar Katan [see for example, Igrot Haremez, Igeret 5].

Zohar Mantova was sent to Eretz Yisrael and was studied by the Ari and his disciples as well as by most of the Mekubalim of Italy; the Cremona edition, on the other hand, was sent mainly to the countries of Ashkenaz and most of the commentaries of Ashkenazic Mekubalim were written on it. There are also many textual variations between the two editions of the Zohar.

In the foreword to the book Emet leYaakov it was written that possibly, the Mantova edition was slightly based on the Cremona one.

Cremona, [1559-1560]. First edition.

Bereshit: 132 leaves – leaves 2-5 and 7 are missing and were completed with a professional photocopy on seemingly ancient paper matching the period. Shemot: 122 leaves/ Vayikra-Devarim: 146 leaves. 27.5 cm. Good condition. Square letters in two columns. Title page with a fine architectural border. Moth perforations and tears along the edges professionally restored with paper. Beautiful, new brown leather binding with gilt decorations.

Bnayahu, Hadfus haIvri BeCremona, p. 206 and pp. 118-139.

Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod 325.

Kabbalistic Sefer Yesod – the first and rare edition of the Zohar which was printed in Cremona.