religion
Oldest almost complete Hebrew Bible brought to Israel
The oldest known, almost complete Hebrew Bible will soon be exhibited in Tel Aviv. photo
© John Minchillo/AP/dpa
According to experts, the work was created more than 1,100 years ago. At times it was lost for several centuries, but later it was privately owned. Now the Bible is to be exhibited.
The oldest known almost complete Hebrew Bible is after brought to Israel. The Anu Museum of the Jewish People and the Israeli airline El Al announced this after landing.
The so-called “Codex Sassoon” was auctioned in New York in May for $38 million. The buyer donated the collection of writings to the Anu Museum in Tel Aviv. It will be on display there from October 11th.
According to experts, the work was created more than 1,100 years ago. At times it belonged to the famous collector of religious writings David Solomon Sassoon (1880-1942), after whom it is named.
The museum described the handwritten, leather-bound “Codex Sassoon” as “one of the most important and unique manuscripts in the world.” The immense purchase price also makes the twelve kilogram book the most expensive Jewish manuscript in history. It also contains handwritten characters that convey how the text should be read aloud.
Lost for several centuries
According to the museum, the codex was probably created in the region that today includes Israel and Syria. The collection of writings was lost for several centuries. In 1929, the collector Sassoon bought it for 350 British pounds and had it re-bound. Most recently it was privately owned.
The 24 books of the Hebrew Bible (Tanach) consist of three parts: the five books of Moses and the books of the Prophets and the Writings. The Bible embodies “the cultural and religious heritage of the Jewish people,” wrote the museum. However, belief in the Bible transcends “national, geographical and religious boundaries”. Everyone can “find new insights and personal meaning in these ancient words.”