Items of Interest November 21, 2011 Issue

Rare display of Damascus Crown Bible manuscripts

Matti Friedman

Precious Bible manuscripts originating in the Jewish community of Damascus, Syria, went on display for several hours [October 5], offering a rare glimpse at a collection that includes books spirited to Israel in clandestine operations before the ancient community disappeared at the end of the 20th century.

The books are held at Israel’s national library. Because of security and conservation concerns, most of the collection has been on display just once before, also for just a few hours, more than a decade ago.

The collection includes 11 volumes. . . . Ranging from 700 to 1,000 years old and written in the Middle East and Europe, the parchment manuscripts include meticulous Hebrew penmanship and illustrations in ink and gold leaf. Some boast intricate micrography—decorations made up of thousands of tiny Hebrew letters.

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