Tikunei HaZohar of the Chida – Unique Copy Made Especially for the Chida, Printed by Castello and Saadon in Livorno ...

Tikunei HaZohar of the Chida – Unique Copy Made Especially for the Chida, Printed by Castello and Saadon in Livorno, 1789
Tikunei HaZohar, by R. Shimon Bar Yochai, with the commentary of R. Moshe Zacuto – the Remez. Livorno: Castello and Saadon, [1789]. First edition to include the commentary of the Remez.
Unique copy printed especially for the Chida, by his disciples and associates, Torah scholars of Livorno, who were involved in the publication of this edition: the publishers – R. Yaakov Nunes Vais (rabbi of Livorno) and R. Avraham Alnakar (who inserted fourteen of his piyyutim in this edition), and the printers – the partners R. Avraham Yitzchak Castello and R. Eliezer Saadon (most of the works of the Chida were printed in their press).
The title page features a special inscription: "Printed for the outstanding Torah scholar… R. Chaim Yosef David Azulai…". The inscription was included in the present copy only. Other copies of this edition feature a decorative element instead (one other unique copy of this book is known to us, with the following dedication: "For the wealthy… Avraham Franchetti…". Regarding the practice of printing special copies for wealthy or important figures, see post of R. Avishai Elbaum, in the Am HaSefer blog, 29th January 2014).
In 1738, upon completing his second mission, the Chida settled in Livorno. He remained there until his passing, and was engaged in studying and disseminating Torah, composing and publishing his books. Despite repeated entreaties, he refused to serve as rabbi of the community, yet was nevertheless considered the foremost Torah scholar in the city. All the rabbis in Livorno deferred to him, and his decision was conclusive on all important questions and problems in the community.
A group of Torah scholars gathered around the Chida in Livorno; it is also known that the Chida established there the Chadashim LaBekarim society. Prof. Meir Benayahu (in his book on the Chida, p. 67) suggests that the Chida founded in Livorno another, secret society of elite Torah scholars who adopted kabbalistic practices, and reached a particularly high level in knowledge of Torah and kabbalah, perhaps a kind of continuation of the Ahavat Shalom society in Jerusalem. The society which gathered around the Chida in Livorno was comprised of his associates, local rabbis who reverently regarded him as their teacher. These include the partners who produced this Tikunei HaZohar edition, and one can assume that the Chida had an impact on this edition.
The publishers of this edition were R. Yaakov Nunes Vais (rabbi of Livorno; mentions the Chida in every section of his book with the reverence of a disciple to his teacher, and the Chida from his part refers to him with much love and honor) and R. Avraham Alnakar (rabbi and kabbalist, a Torah scholar of Fez, settled in Livorno and became associated with the Chida. Reputed for the Zechor LeAvraham machzor which he published in Livorno with the help and guidance of the Chida). R. Eliezer Saadon, a young Torah scholar in Livorno, was also very attached to the Chida and published most of the latter's works in his printing firm (originally in partnership with R. Avraham Yitzchak Castello. After the latter's passing, the printing press remained in his sole ownership).
Inscriptions on the title page, including: "Acquired from the wealthy and exalted scholar, R. Sh.T. [Shem Tov] son of R. Refael HaLevi". Several glosses in Sephardic script on p. 73b (somewhat resembling the handwriting of the Chida). Several brief glosses on other leaves.
[4], 166 leaves. 22 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains and dark stains. Damage and extensive worming, affecting text in several places, professionally restored with paper. New binding.