3
Erchin (2:1):
אֵין בָּעֲרָכִין פָּחוּת מִסֶּלַע, וְלֹא יָתֵר עַל חֲמִשִּׁים סָלַע. כֵּיצַד, נָתַן סֶלַע וְהֶעֱשִׁיר, אֵינוֹ נוֹתֵן כְּלוּם. פָּחוֹת מִסֶּלַע וְהֶעֱשִׁיר, נוֹתֵן חֲמִשִּׁים סָלַע. הָיָה בְיָדָיו חָמֵשׁ סְלָעִים, רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר, אֵינוֹ נוֹתֵן אֶלָּא אֶחָת. וַחֲכָמִים אוֹמְ...
What is the significance of the word "Hakatan" after one's surname? If this descriptive is used by learned people and rabbonim, then is it not self-defeating to call oneself "Hakatan"?
I read in related questions that R. 'Haim Vital lists in his introduction to Ets 'Haim 20 conditions regarding whether one is fit to learn pnimiut. However, I cannot find such a list in the book itself. I'd like a precise source, preferably with a link. Thank you.
