Introduction to Ben Ish Ḥai’s Sefer da‘at u-tevunah (Book of Knowledge and Understanding)

This work is an anthology of various texts that provide precious foundations, crucial for the knowledge of the wisdom of kabbalah, hidden secrets that were revealed through the mightiest of heroes—none other than the Living Lion [Rabbi Isaac Luria, the Ari], may his memory be for life in the world to come, whose words were spoken with the holy spirit from the mouth of Elijah the Prophet, remembered for good, speaker of right words.

May God in His mercy enlighten our eyes with His Torah and His holy and pure secrets. And may He grant us, our children, and our children’s children for generations to come the merit to study the Torah for its own sake. So may it be His will. Amen. [ . . . ]

Besides these books [enumerated before], he also wrote at a young age Od Yosef ḥai, which has the same form as the book Ben Ish Ḥai, and it is only necessary as a further addition, surpassing its predecessor in having [the reader] receive learning.

And this book Da‘at u-tevunah—from it comes the cornerstone, from it the tent peg, which he [Yosef Ḥayim] studied and wrote from the pinnacle of faith. Deep waters were drawn by a man of wisdom, which he left after him as a blessing to the Jewish people. And he has written many more books [and manuscripts], some yet to be published. And this will take place once the generous men of our nation fund their publication, making them available to the public. And all of these works, which are more desirable than gold and more precious than fine gold (Psalm 19:11), are the works of his hand: he engraved them with a voice that hews out flames of fire, he hewed them with a wise spirit, he embossed them with his mouth that emits gems; all of these were born to their father—Yosef. [ . . . ]

And all the world came to hear the teachings of Yosef, great men as well as simpletons. For his authority expanded over the entire area beyond the [Jordan] river, ranging from one sea to another, while he [his authority] stood at both of their banks; Arabia, Kurdistan, Hindustan, Persia, and Medes—they all yearn for his speech, like a slave before his master. And in the glorious mountain he [his authority] was esteemed twofold. And among the great rabbis of Russia, the saints that are on the earth (Psalms 16:3) cherish his name and honor him.

Yosef was the governor over the land (Genesis 42:6), the shooting star; he was the explainer of all the principles by which Torah is interpreted; he taught and ruled with his pen. And he responded to anyone who asked [him a question], standing with one foot on his land and the other on its border [i.e., he studied on his own but made himself available for other people]. And he also preached sermons beautifully when the leaders of the holy nation gathered together the remnants whom the Lord calls. He would speak words and expound upon them, expanding over an enormous realm, in a breadth [of knowledge] that tempts one into learning. He spoke the words and riddles of sages, words that are hidden from the eye, opaque matters, which he expounded, adorned, and turned into the beautiful artworks of a skilled craftsman. [ . . . ] And he produced a new vessel ready for use [i.e., gave practical instructions]—a law learned from the discussion. [In these sermons], grace was poured out and wisdom was offered to the believers. They saw and they were astounded, [saying,] “What is this before us!” And the children of Israel called its name manna,¹ how beautiful is that tree! What a pleasant plant (Isaiah 17:10)! What a fruitful tree is—Yosef.