500-year-old Torah scroll put on display in Saudi Arabia

A 500-year-old Torah scroll was exhibited at an International Book Fair in Saudi Arabia this week.

The scroll was one of 26 ancient manuscripts on display at the fair in Riyadh.

“A scroll of leather, containing explanations and texts of the Torah in Hebrew. Length: (40 meters x 90 cm). It dates back to the 16th century AD, according to estimates,” the text next to the scroll read.

The exhibition comes as a religious Israeli minister was seen praying in Riyadh for the first time during his visit to the Kingdom which took place during the high holiday of Sukkot.

Communication Minister Shlomo Karhi was pictured praying with other religious Jews in his hotel room, and reading from a Torah provided by a local.

“Just as the windows in the house of Daniel were opened facing Jerusalem, so too in Riyadh we were able to pray with windows open facing Jerusalem,” Karhi said following the prayer.

As he arrived in Riyadh with the Israeli delegation, Karhi said: “We’re here during the Sukkot holiday, at an international conference. We’ll meet with representatives from around the world, and will bring the peace between the State of Israel and Saudi Arabia closer.”