Introduction to the Kabbalah

deprived of the longer time it required; and therefore, although it displays the signs and first beginnings of a certain noble and strong body in all its limbs and joints, it remains unfinished in its color, spirit, and perfect shape. Among these papers, I have found scarcely one or two small books that I would judge fit for publication as of yet. One of these is the present work, titled A Certain Introduction to the Kabbalah original: In Cabalam introductio quædam; the Kabbalah is a system of Jewish mysticism that fascinated Christian Renaissance scholars who sought to find universal truths within it.. So that it might reach the hands of readers more favorably, I believed it necessary that it should go forth and exist in the world in your honor, as if it were your own; for in this way, it would acquire the greatest grace from your Serene person. Therefore, I offer and dedicate it to you, and place it under the protection of your most ample dignity. This is the very thing my brother—for whom you were the godfather original: baptiſmatis ſuſceptor; in the 17th century, a high-ranking godfather provided essential social and political protection to a godchild.—intended to do, both with this book and all his others. His goal was that he might, to the best of his ability, proclaim to posterity the memory of the man whom he especially honored and looked up to in this life, and under whose favor he had lived. He hoped that under you as his patron and defender, the fruits of his life’s work might flourish as much as possible. Serene Prince, if you receive this gift—whatever its worth—from me with a kind and joyful spirit, weighing not the gift itself but the intent from which it proceeds, I shall consider not so much that I have offered you something, but rather that I have received from your generosity a great benefit (among many others you have bestowed upon me) which binds me to you even more.

To Your Highness

Vocabulary from the original text: Kabbalah (the subject of the book), Francesco Montecuccoli (the author/editor), Prince (the patron), Serene (a formal title of address), To Your Highness (the formal heading of the dedication).