New York (USA), Jewish Theological Seminary, Jewish Theological Seminary Library: Ms. 436
About the Ilan
TextGrid URI of the Editiontextgrid:4b4st
FamiliesGreat Tree (Lurianic) ๐๏ธSearch for Ilanot in this Family
Surfaces of the Ilan
Recto
About the Manuscript
Identifiers and Titles
IdentifierNew York (USA), Jewish Theological Seminary, Jewish Theological Seminary Library: Ms. 436
Primary Manuscript TitlesGreat Tree
Alternative Manuscript TitlesNew York, JTS, Ms. 436
Manuscript History
Origin
Date Information1663
Creation PlacesLondon (United Kingdom)
Physical Description
MaterialParchment ๐Translucent or opaque material made from calf, sheep, or goat skin which has been limed, dehaired, scraped, and dried under tension to produce a thin, strong material for writing, bookbinding, or other uses. For finer quality calf parchment, use "vellum." The terms parchment and vellum sometimes have been and still are both confused and used interchangeably. ๐๏ธSearch for Ilanot with this Material
FormRotulus ๐A roll of parchment or paper unrolled vertically for reading. ๐๏ธSearch for Ilanot with this Form
Dimensions Description313.69 ร 30.48
Content Description
SummaryThis Great Tree rotulus was copied by David Montpellier in London in 1663. The manuscript features a dating verse from the Torah portion Ekev, which Montpellier used as a double entendre to refer to both the tablets of Moses and the kabbalistic "luhot". The top half of the rotulus presents the Zacuto-Zemah Z module, concluding with an inscription that identifies the ground of Azilut as the footstool of the twelve parzufim. This witness is exceptionally rich in content, continuing with a visualization of the Trees of the Worlds (W) that extends through the end of Assiah. Its lower section is uniquely detailed, featuring a tower representing the seven levels of hell to the right of the central tree of Assiah and a demonic tree to its left. The seven holy palaces, arranged in a horizontal row of arches, anchor the lowermost part of the diagram.
Further Information
Research LiteratureJ. H. Chajes, The Kabbalistic Tree (University Park, PA: Penn State University Press, 2022), 196โ200, 390.
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