Bidspirit auction | Migdanot Natan – Distinguished Copy

Migdanot Natan – Distinguished Copy from the Renowned Library of Rebbe Rabbi Menachem Nachum Dov (“Nachum Ber’niu”) Friedman of Sadigura - Migdanot Natan, novellae on Tractates Shevuot and Makkot, together with various scholarly compilations, by Rabbi Eliyahu Chai Borgel, son of Rabbi Natan Borgel, author of Chok Natan. Livorno, 1785. An especially significant provenance copy, formerly owned by the holy Rebbe Rabbi Menachem Nachum Dov Friedman of Sadigura, known among the followers of the Ruzhin dynasty as “Rabbi Nachum Ber’niu.” The title page bears two of his well-known ownership stamps: “Nachum Dov Ber Friedman” and his distinctive “Kinyan Kaspi” stamp, which he used to mark books acquired with his own funds for study and scholarship. The front endpaper bears his autograph signature, alongside the original library label printed in gold lettering: “Library of Rabbi Nachum Dov Friedman of Sadagora.” [3], 55 leaves. 29 cm. Condition: Good. Minor staining. Binding slightly worn. Rabbi Menachem Nachum Dov Friedman of Sadigura (1843–1883), affectionately known as “Rabbi Nachum Ber’niu, ” was a grandson of the revered Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin and one of the most prominent figures of the younger generation of the Ruzhin dynasty. His father was Rabbi Shalom Yosef of Sadigura, the eldest son and first successor of Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin. Owing to his noble character, distinguished lineage, and exceptional talents, many regarded him as the future leader of the entire House of Ruzhin. His untimely passing at a young age shocked the Hasidic world. The newspaper Machzikei HaDat (Kraków, 1883) described him as “a precious stone beyond comparison, ” highlighting in particular his remarkable achievement in assembling an extraordinary collection of rare books and valuable manuscripts, for which he expended considerable resources over many years. Rabbi Nachum Ber’niu’s library was among the most renowned Hasidic libraries of its era. His love of books was legendary, and he actively acquired rare editions, early Hebrew imprints, and important manuscripts, in addition to the treasures inherited from his illustrious forebears. Rabbi Yehudah Leibush Landau, Rabbi of Sadigura, testified in the introduction to his work Yad Yehudah that he found in Rabbi Nachum’s home “a collection of precious books by the early authors, unmatched in value and splendor.” Volumes bearing Rabbi Nachum Ber’niu’s signature, ownership stamps, and library label are exceedingly rare and highly sought after, serving as tangible witnesses to one of the most important Hasidic book collections of the nineteenth century.