Derekh Etz Hayyim (Path of the Tree of Life), Hayyim Vital, Scribe: Jacob Segel [Ashkenaz: late 18th century]

179 leaves (12 1/2 x 7 7/8 in.; 320 x 200 mm). 1-53, 56-85, [i-iv], 88-144, [i-xxxv]=179 leaves 

“The Etz Hayyim, Peri Etz Hayyim, and Nof Etz Hayyim of Rabbi Hayyim Vital,” Sefunot 5,1 (1993): 84-91 (in Hebrew).

A copy of Derekh Etz Hayyim, the first of three volumes edited by Rabbi Meir Poppers based on Lurianic works compiled by Rabbis Benjamin ha-Levi, Elisha Guastalla, and Jacob Zemah, Poppers’ teacher (among other sources). The present manuscript is missing a few folios at both the beginning and end. The first page contains short notes on the book, and the following four leaves were added from another Lurianic manuscript. The final folio features a striking rendition of the Ten Sefirot with various vocalizations of God’s Ineffable Name.

This copy is incomplete, missing several pages at the front and back. In addition, the four folios after the first do not belong to the book and were added later. The book features an illustration of the 10 Sefirot at the end.