Handwritten manuscript, Sefer “Dodi Ve’Nechdi” on Natural Science, by Rabbi Berechya HaNakdan (the linguist) – 19th century transcript – from the library of the researcher Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Chaim Halberstam (ShZCh”H), with his signature.
This is an 80-page manuscript, a work titled “Dodi Ve’Nechdi” (My Uncle and My Grandson), by Rabbi Berechya ben Natrunai HaNakdan (“The Linguist”) from the 12th century. The book was written as a dialog between an uncle and his nephew regarding Natural Science. For example, the book deals with questions such as why are only some animals ruminants, why do humans nurse at the start of their life, why can some animals see at night while others cannot etc. The Sefer was printed in England in 1920 by Rabbi Chaim Gollancz.
On the front flyleaf is a “code”:
‘ShZCh”H – 250’, which is decrypted as follows: This volume comes from the library of the researcher and collector of manuscripts Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Chaim Halberstam, known as ShzCh”H, and this item is number 250 in his catalog “Kehilat Shlomo” (Vienna, 1890). In the catalog it’s listed as: “Item 250: Sefer Dodi Ve’Nechdiby R’ Berechya bar Natrunai (copied from the Munich manuscript)”.
He also writes on the front flyleaf: “This manuscript was copied by RZ”T Yoffe, Shochet Ubodek of Munich, from the manuscripts treasure that is in Munich, #42”. Several other scholarly comments regarding the author are also written there.
Please see the Hebrew listing for biographical information on Rabbi Berechya Hanakdan and Rabbi Halberstam.
[40] sht. (79 written pp.) Landscape orientation, 22cm. Original, colorful cardboard cover, slightly detached. Good condition.
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