When cataloguing the historic volumes of Talmud in the library, the librarians discovered something strange. Rabbi Levine suggests an explanation, one that delves into the history of the burning of the Talmud in Italy in 5314.
By Anash.org reporter
Thousands of priceless treasures lie on the shelves and safes of the Central Chabad Library, right next door to 770. The average chossid, however, won’t have the chance to see the most precious of them. Until now, that is.
A new series, launched by Anash.org in partnership with the Rebbe’s library, will showcase some of the most unique and historic books and items in the Rebbe’s library.
The fifth episode showcases a unique find that was discovered in the library’s archives, and a historic print of the Talmud from Basel, Switzerland.
The Booklets That Were Saved from the Flames
When cataloguing the historic volumes of Talmud in the library, the librarians discovered something strange.
For some reason, there were a number of booklets of the Rosh, which had been printed at the end of volumes of the Talmud, had been separated and bound together.
Rabbi Levine suggests an explanation, one that delves into the history of the burning of the Talmud in Italy in 5314.
The Swiss Talmud
Due to the burning of the Talmud in Italy, and the expulsion of the Jews from Spain, the printing of the Talmud was stopped, only continuing 25 years later in Basel, Switzerland.
The library owns several volumes of this print of the Talmud.
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