16th century ‘spell book’ among Hebrew items on display at British Library

The Hebrew Manuscripts: Journeys of the Written Word exhibition showcases rarely-seen texts, some dating back one thousand years.

18 August 2020, 12:09 pm

Left: A series of calendrical and astronomical tables, 15th century, Or 11796. Right: Maimonides' Guide for the Perplexed, c 1325-1374, Spain, Or 14061 (credit British Library Board)

A work on the calculation of the calendar from Tlemcen, Algeria 1804, Or 9872, credit British Library Board

An illustrated copy of Abraham bar Hiyya's shape of the Earth, 15th century, Or 10721, credit British Library Board

Hebrew Manuscripts: Journeys of the Written Word at the British Library (credit David Jensen)

A spell book containing 120 magical and medical recipes, Ancona 1535-1536 (Credit British Library Board)

From escaping demons to catching thieves, the British Library’s new Hebrew exhibition promises to be spellbinding when it finally opens next month.

A 16th century spell-book claiming to have 125 magical and medical answers to life’s dilemmas is among the treasured Hebrew manuscripts set to go on display at the British Library.

The Hebrew Manuscripts: Journeys of the Written Word exhibition, delayed from its initial March opening until 1 September, showcases rarely-seen manuscripts, some dating back to the 10th century and displayed for the first time.

The volumes, which span topics such as science, alchemy, religion and philosophy, were produced in diaspora communities across Europe, north Africa, the Middle East and China.

Left: A series of calendrical and astronomical tables, 15th century, Or 11796. Right: Maimonides’ Guide for the Perplexed, c 1325-1374, Spain, Or 14061 (credit British Library Board)

“Written culture is one of the most important bonds connecting Jewish communities all around the world,” says lead curator Ilana Tahan.

She adds: “Jewish writings reflect the diasporic communities of the Jewish people, taking inspiration from and interacting with local cultures and shaping local stories and ideas in return.

“We are thrilled to be able to display many of these incredible items for the first time, and hope visitors enjoy these journeys of the written word.”

Exhibition highlights include an Italian rabbi’s letter to Henry VIII laying out a biblical rationale for annulling his marriage to his first wife Catherine of Aragon, written in 1530, and an ornate ketubah from Calcutta dated 1881.

An intricately decorated marriage contract from Calcutta, 1881. (Credit: British Library Board)

Other treasured items are a 13th century copy of the Babylonian Talmud and what is thought to be the earliest dated copy of a book of theology by Sephardic philosopher Moses Maimonides.

The copy of Maimonides’s Guide for the Perplexed, widely considered to be the author’s most significant philosophical achievement, is dated 1380.

Hebrew Manuscripts: Journeys of the Written Word will be at the British Library from 1 September until 11 April, with non-member tickets priced £8.00.

16th century ‘spell book’ among Hebrew items on display at British Library

The Hebrew Manuscripts: Journeys of the Written Word exhibition showcases rarely-seen texts, some dating back one thousand years.

comments