Manuscript – Maamar HaMilu'im by the Rema of Fano / The Arizal's Prayer Kavanot by Rabbi Yehuda Romano – ...

Manuscript – Maamar HaMilu'im by the Rema of Fano / The Arizal's Prayer Kavanot by Rabbi Yehuda Romano – Unpublished Work by a Disciple of the Arizal – 17th Century
Manuscript, Maamar HaMilu'im on kabbalah, by R. Menachem Azariah da Fano; with the Arizal's prayer kavanot, by his disciple R. Yehuda Romano. [Ashkenazic script, ca. 17th century].
The manuscript comprises two works. It begins with Maamar HaMilu'im by the Rema of Fano (leaves [1]-[5]) and continues (page [5b] onwards) with prayer kavanot by R. Yehuda Romano, disciple of the Arizal. The kavanot part is unpublished. The manuscript is an early copying of both works, in neat Ashkenazic script. Two fine illustrations at the top of the first page: a unicorn and a leafy branch.
Maamar HaMilu'im is one of ten essays composed by R. Menachem Azariah (the Rema) of Fano. The essay discusses the full spelling of G-d's name, and is based on the fourth part of his book Kanfei Yonah. This essay is known in various versions, the present manuscript comprising the first, concise version of the essay (see: R. Yosef Avivi, Kabbalistic Writings of R. Menachem Azariah of Fano, Sefunot 19, 1989, pp. 368-379). This version was published in the book Kanfei Yonah, Warsaw 1899 edition, with slight textual variations in comparison with the present manuscript.
The order of kavanot in this manuscript was compiled by R. Yehuda Romano, who is listed by R. Chaim Vital as a member of the fourth group of the Arizal's disciples (see: Sefer HaChezyonot, Jerusalem 1954, p. 219). His book of kavanot reached Italy where it was edited by the school of the Rema of Fano (see: R. Yosef Avivi, Luria's Writings in Italy to 1620, Alei Sefer 11, 1984, pp. 100-101; Avivi, Kabbalat HaAri part I, section 58, note 3, pp. 397-398).
There are two orders of kavanot by R. Yehuda Romano found in several manuscripts (see: Avivi, Kabbalat HaAri, ibid.). The present manuscript contains the first order of kavanot. In the colophon on the final leaf, the scribe notes that this manuscript is "lacking until the end of the Shabbat prayers and other prayers", presumably in reference to the second order of kavanot, which is missing in the present manuscript. The first order of kavanot, found in this manuscript, is hitherto unpublished.
The scribe who produced this manuscript mistakenly considered the kavanot work as part of Maamar HaMilu'im, and therefore wrote in the colophon at the end of the kavanot: "The book Maamar HaMilu'im is completed".
[42] leaves. 19 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains and dark stains. Fine, new leather binding.
Expert report enclosed.