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

171 leaves (7 3/4 x 6 3/8 in.; 196 x 162 mm.) [i-xxiii], 1-4 [i-cxliv]

Yosef Avivi, “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 the first sixteen she‘arim of Derekh Etz Hayyim, the first of three volumes edited by Meir Poppers based on Lurianic works compiled by Benjamin ha-Levi, Elisha Guastalla, and Jacob Zemah, Poppers’ teacher (among other sources). The body of the work is preceded by Poppers’ introduction, Sha‘ar ha-Kelalim (The Gate of Rules), and miscellaneous other material. The text of the present manuscript differs from that of the printed edition (Korets, 1782).