Igeret Ayelet Ahavim. Copy of: Rabbi Nachum Berenyu of Sadigura, Rabbi Pinchas Rabinowitz of Kantikozva and Rabbi ...

Igeret Ayelet Ahavim. Copy of: Rabbi Nachum Berenyu of Sadigura, Rabbi Pinchas Rabinowitz of Kantikozva and Rabbi Aharon Moshe MiGeza Zvi M’Brody. Amsterdam, 1665. First Edition.
Igeret Ayelet Ahavim; Ethics from Avraham Avinu and Akeidat Yitzchak. This composition is written in poetry form, authored by Rabbi Shlomo de Oliveira.

On the second to last leaf appears a poem, with its verses forming the shape of a star.

Rabbi Shlomo Oliveira (1635-1708) served as a Rabbi of the Sephardic-Portuguese community in Amsterdam, as well as Av Beit Din Amsterdam. He was a prolific writer on Grammar and Language topics.

On the title page appears the stamp of ‘Pinchas Rabinowitz Kantikozva'.

Rabbi Pinchas Rabinowitz (1861-1926) Otzar HaRabbanim 16957: Admor of Kantikozva (Charson region), assumed his father Rabbi Yitzchak Yoel’s role of Admor of Linitz. A genius in Torah, Rabbi Pinchas authored Avodat Yitzchak on the Torah which remained in manuscript form.

The title page also features the famed stamp of Rabbi Menachem Nachum Dov Ber Friedman of Sadigura, owner of the extremely prominent Library. Alongside this is his additional stamp with the words ‘Minchat Shai’ indicating Rabbi Menachem received this book as a 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.

On the title page and within the book, appear stamps of Rabbi ‘Aharon Moshe MiGeza Zvi M’Brody’, and his handwritten signature.

Rabbi Aharon Moshe MiGeza Zvi M’Brody was one of the Chassidic greats, and a disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin and Rabbi Uri of Strelisk. He emigrated to Eretz Yisrael in 1839, one of the first Chassidim to do so, and settled in Yerushalayim. He is regarded as one of the founders of the Yishuv Chassidi of Jerusalem, and Rosh Kollel HaChassidim. He tombstone bears effusive praises lauding his holiness.

On the verso of the title page and the following page are two additional handwritten ownership listings.

Amsterdam, 1665. David de Castro Tartas Press. First edition.

32, [2] leaves. Error in page count. 14.5 cm. Very good condition. The last 3 leaves have some worm perforations. Antique, leather binding.

Pedigree copy that was owned by Chassidic greats.