This exhibition closed January 6, 2008.

Exhibition Details

Abraham Firkovich Courtesy of the National Library of Russia

Between 1862 and 1876, the Russian National Library purchased more than 15,000 manuscripts from the collection of Abraham Firkovich, a Karaite Jew. Firkovich, born in 1787 in the Ukraine, was a Karaite teacher and cantor turned avid collector and archaeologist. He was already in his early 70s when he set out on two expeditions to the Near East (Egypt, Jerusalem, Istanbul, Beirut, Aleppo, Nablus the Crimea and the Caucus) collecting biblical texts from the genizot of ancient Jewish communities.

Hebrew for "hiding place," a genizah (plural genizot) is a depository for sacred Hebrew books that are no longer usable. He was one of the first to visit the Cairo Genizah in 1863 some 34 years before the more famous trip of Solomon Schechter.

Perhaps the most well-known of Firkovich's finds is the so-called St. Petersburg Codex, the oldest complete manuscript of the Hebrew Bible dated to 1010 CE. However, the collection contains many other important codices that have rarely been on public display.

On exhibit through September

Pentateuch Fragments 929 CE, Cairo Courtesy of the National Library of Russia

1. Pentateuch, Fragment of Deuteronomy
B II 10
Two parchment folios (one double folio): f 229-230. Each folio is 43 x 37 cm. This text dates to 1018 CE.

2. Pentateuch Fragments
B II 17
This colophon, or "carpet page," lists names of possessors. This text is from Cairo and is dated to 929 CE. Three parchment folios: f. 234 (40 x 37 cm), f. II (42 x 38 cm), f. III (28 x 29 cm).

3. Prophet, Fragment of Massorah
B II 39
This fragment, dated to 988–989 CE, is from Jerusalem. One parchment folio: f. 152 (36 x 34 cm).

4. Hagiography, Fragment of Nehemiah and colophon
B II 115
Dated to 994 CE. One parchment folio: f. 36 (38 x 34,5 cm)

5. Pentateuch, Fragment of Deuteronomy and colophon
B II 159
Dated to 942 CE. Two parchment folios (one double folio): f. one and four (32 x 30 cm each folio).

6. Torah Scroll, Fragment of Exodus and Deuteronomy
IA 1/a
This scroll is from the 9th century and is comprised of five stitched skins (65 x 280cm).

On exhibit October through December

Prophets Fragment. Folio 152. Gilt ornaments. 988-989CE Courtesy of the National Library of Russia

1. Pentateuch, Fragment of Deuteronomy
B II 10
This Deuteronomy fragment is dated to 1018 CE. Two parchment folios (one double folio): f. 228 and 231 (43 x 37 cm each folio).

2. Pentateuch, Fragments of Genesis and Exodus
B II 17
Dated to 929 CE; from Cairo. Two parchment folios.

3. Prophets Fragment of Massorah
B II 39
Dated to 988–989 CE; from Jerusalem. One parchment folio: f. 154 (36 x 35.5 cm).

4. Hagiography, Fragment of Psalms
Parchment folio: f. 20 (38 x 36, 5 cm).

5. Pentateuch, Fragment of Deuteronomy
Dated to 942 CE. Two parchment folios (one double folio): f. 2-3 (32 x 30 cm each folio).