Galia Raza
Kabbalistic Sefer Published by the Be’er Mayim Chaim of Czernowitz
Mohyliv, 1812. First Edition.
A profound kabbalistic sefer, described by the Chida as containing “awesome matters”, some of which were revealed to the author in visions of the night. The work is attributed to a kabbalist who lived in the 16th century. (For more on his identity, see below.)
The sefer was brought to print by the Admor Rabbi Chaim Tirer of Czernowitz, author of ‘Be’er Mayim Chaim’ and one of the great luminaries of chassidus.
At the beginning of the sefer is a long and rare introduction from Rabbi Chaim himself, spanning two and a half pages, in which he presents deep kabbalistic insights related to the sefer and elaborates on its importance. He describes the great effort he made to ensure that it be printed and disseminated among Klal Yisrael:
“And behold, I found within it teachings of Torah, sweeter on the tongues of those who study them than honey and fine nectar, and a balm for the soul that toils in Hashem’s Torah… therefore, I said in my heart… it should be found in the hands of every person… and I turned to seek a way to bring this about, and said, ‘Let me attach myself to one of the printers…’”
Indeed, he partnered with a printer in Mohyliv, and together they brought the sefer to light.
This important work had already been circulating in manuscript form since the 1500s, and is cited by early Ashkenazic kabbalists such as the Megaleh Amukos and the Yalkut Reuveni.
Mohyliv, 1812, First Edition.
Page Count: [2], 7, 2, 9–44, 47–48 leaves.
Condition: Good, with several stains. Fine new leather binding.
Bibliography: Stefansky, Sifrei Chassidus, no. 111.
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~ Identity of the Author ~
The sefer does not mention the name of its author. In antique manuscripts and other sources, the work is attributed to Rabbi Avraham, one of the disciples of the Arizal. Some identified him as Rabbi Avraham HaLevi Bruchim, a talmid of the Arizal. However, from newly uncovered information by Rabbi Elior indicating that the sefer was written in the year 1553, it appears that this suggestion must be rejected.
Rabbi Moshe Hillel suggests that the author was the kabbalist Rabbi Yaakov Arzi, one of the sages of Salonika who later settled in Tzfas. His son was the kabbalist Rabbi Yosef Arzin, a disciple of the Arizal.
See: Aggados Shmuel, Ahavat Shalom Institute, Jerusalem 2018, pp. 63–64, note 99.
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~ The Composition of the Sefer through Night Visions ~
“Gavriel is the appointed [angel] over dreams, and his name is “Raza Gali” and he is Gavriel in gematria. Therefore, I named my work ‘Raza Gali’, for through dreams and night visions, and at times even while awake, I constructed all the structures that I built.”
(Words of the author, leaf 21a)
