Magen David- Confessions For a Sick Person and Prayer as the Soul Departs. Venice 1704. First Edition. Exceedingly Rare.

Magen David- Confessions For a Sick Person and Prayer as the Soul Departs. Venice 1704. First Edition. Exceedingly Rare.

Personal Copy of Rabbi Nachum Berenyu of Sadigura.

Magen David is an abridged version of the book, Ma’avar Yabok. It comprises confession for a sick person, verses and prayers to be recited before one’s demise. Authored by Rabbi David Savivi.

In his introduction, the author’s son, Rabbi Aryeh Yehuda Savivi relates (in the name of his father) “It is brought down, the confession the sick person should say, and all the verses that should be recited on behalf of a moribund person, and prayers to be recited as the soul departs, I did not wish to shorten this at all…I summarized wonderfully the laws and added some of my own.”

The title page features the famed stamp of Rabbi Menachem Nachum Dover Friedman of Sadigura, owner of the famed massive Library. Alongside this is his additional stamp with the words “Kinyan Kaspi” indicating Rabbi Nachum purchased this item and did not receive it as and inheritance or gift.

Rabbi Menachem Nachum Dover Friedman (1843-1883) referred to as Rabbi Nachum Berenyu, was a most prominent 19th Century Hebrew Book Collector. A scion of the illustrious Ruzhin Chassidic family, his father was Rabbi Shalom Yosef Friedman, oldest son of Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin. Following the passing of both his father and his grandfather, he was raised by his older brother Rabbi Yitzchak of Bohush. He was the son-in-law of the founder of the Sadigura dynasty, Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Friedman of Sadigura.

Rabbi Menachem Nachum Dover Friedman was famed for his erudition in Torah. His passion for Jewish books and manuscripts led him to build up an extensive and prominent library with thousands of items, including most rare and valuable pieces. It morphed into one of the largest private and rare collections of that era with over 4000 titles.

Rabbi Nachum marked his ownership of his books in a unique way: He inscribed his name in his books in a special way along with his personal stamp in Hebrew and German. In the center of this stamp was the picture of a lion. In addition, Rabbi Nachum had 3 stamps which he used to categorize the book’s origin. “Nachlat Avot” - Inheritance, “Minchat Shai” – Received as Gift, and “Kinyan Kaspi” – Fiscal Purchase.

Venice, 1704. First edition. Bragadin Press.

44, 49-55 leaves. 15.5 cm. Very good condition. Some stains. Splendid, new, leather binding