Sefer Segula (book with supernatural powers). Toldot Shimshon: Leghorn, 1766

Sefer Segula (book with supernatural powers). Toldot Shimshon: Leghorn, 1766
Commentary on Ethics of the Fathers by the divine cabalist Rabbi Shimshon Chaim Nachmani, author of the book Zera Shimshon on the Torah.

In his introduction, the author states that his only son passed away in his lifetime and he was not merited to have more children. Therefore, he requests       ‘for the sake of my brothers and friends and pupils, may they mention my name on their lips and say good things about me after my decease’, promising that ‘the Al-mighty will reward those who act kindly with a good, long and prosperous life’.

In recent years, the supernatural powers of the book Zera Shimshon on the Torah for those who could not have children have been publicized. It transpires that this also applies to those learning the book called ‘Toldot Shimshon’ (Toldot in Hebrew means both ‘history’ and ‘offspring’), because he never had any surviving children; see his introduction.

The great geon and holy chassid, author of Toldot Shimshon and Zera Shimshon, was born circa 1707. He learned Torah from Italy’s geonim, Rabbi David Finzi, father-in-law of the Ramcha”l, and Rabbi Aviad Sar Shalom Basilea, author of Emunat Chachamim. He learned cabala from Italy’s greatest cabalist of the time, Rabbi Binyamin Hacohen – the Raba”ch. He taught Torah in the communities of Modena, Pisa, Siena and Rejian. He was deceased in Verona on 6th Ellul 5539 (1779). He was renowned as a great cabalist in his generation, and the Chid”a writes about him, “I heard that he was versed in practical cabala and instructed that all his cabalistic writings be buried with him” (Shem Hagedolim, Erech Zera Shimshon). Rabbi Hananel Nepi said that he heard from a pupil of the author of Zera Shimshon that once there was a fire near his home; he opened the window and prayed and the fire died out immediately. (Nepi-Ghirondi p. 325).

Leghorn 1766, first edition. [3], 119 [1] p. 20 cm. With a page in Italian at the beginning of the book. Part of the text on the first few pages is written in red ink. With moth damage, including in the text; and in some pages, there are deep moth channels. On p. 6, there is a tear with a part missing.

An exceptionally rare item.