The Friedenwald collection is one of the most precious treasures of the Jewish National and University Library. It contains, in a unique completeness, manuscripts and printed works pertaining to the history of medicine, and particularly medicine among the Jews. Beginning with the earliest extant manuscript of a Hebrew medical work, 'Sefer Asaph'(end of the 13th century or beginning of the 14th ), the collection contains various manuscripts, many of them illustrated, incunabula and early and modern prints. It also includes portraits and autographs, and is complemented by numerous reprints, some from remote sources, the gathering of which was an achievement in itself. Some of the classical books have marginal notes and additions by Dr. Friedenwald.
The collection covers the history of medicine in general as well as monographs on special medical topics: hygene, materia medica, physiology, anatomy, surgery. It also demonstrates the role of Jews in the advance of medicine and science through the ages. Along with the works of Hippocrates, Galen, Dioscorides, Avicenna, Vesalius, Harvey, Bernard and others, there are works by Isaac Israeli, Ibn-Ezra, Maimonides, Amatus Lusitanus, Paul Ehrlich, books written by Jews and about them, biographies of Jewish physicians, and books illustrating the importance of the Hebrew language for the tradition of medical knowledge. The Friedenwald collection is valuable for the study of the history of medicine, science in general, and, particularly, medieval civilization. For comprehensive research into Jews and medicine, it is indispensable.