Rediscovered in Cairo in 1890: a rare insight into the history of the Jewish faith and the Hebrew language
Torah Scroll Fragment
Middle East — Between the 8th and 12th century

Torah Scroll Fragment
Middle East — Between the 8th and 12th century
This fragment represents one of the oldest surviving specimens of the Torah
Originating between the 8th and 12th centuries, it was discovered in 1890 in Cairo
The 115 x 50 cm fragment allows insights into the history of the Jewish faith and the Hebrew language
Torah Scroll Fragment
- Torah Scroll Fragment
Short Description
This fragment of a Torah scroll represents a special treasure for lovers of Judaica: one of the oldest surviving fragments of a Torah scroll. This piece was discovered as part of a spectacular find in the genizah of the Ben Esra Synagogue in Cairo at the end of the 19th century. The fragment, whose provenance is still a mystery today, measures 115 x 50 cm and probably originated between the 8th and 12th centuries. It makes possible a journey through time, through the history of the Jewish faith and the Hebrew language!
Torah Scroll Fragment
This fragment of a Torah scroll represents a special treasure for lovers of Judaica: one of the oldest surviving fragments of a Torah scroll. This piece was discovered as part of a spectacular find in the genizah of the Ben Esra Synagogue in Cairo at the end of the 19th century. The fragment, whose provenance is still a mystery today, measures 115 x 50 cm and probably originated between the 8th and 12th centuries. It makes possible a journey through time, through the history of the Jewish faith and the Hebrew language!
Over a Thousand Years Old?
This historically significant witness of Judaism is stored the library of the London School of Jewish Studies, it is one of the oldest surviving Torah scroll fragments. The Hebrew text of the Torah can be read in gorgeous script on centuries-old leather. The fragment measuring 115 x 50 cm originated from the Middle East between the 8th and 12th centuries, but its exact provenance remains unknown to this day.
A Treasure from the Genizah
This significant Torah scroll fragment is the result of a spectacular late–19th century find. The genizah of the Ben Esra Synagogue in Cairo was undergoing renovations in 1890 when a real treasure of the Jewish faith and culture was discovered. In the genizah, a closed hollow space where Torah scrolls and other religious texts that are no longer usable are stowed, because they cannot be destroyed according to the Jewish faith. The genizah of the Ben Esra Synagogue had probably not been opened for eight centuries! The Torah scroll fragment of the London School of Jewish Studies makes this discovery impressively comprehensive!
Codicology
- Alternative Titles
- Torah Scroll Fragment
- Size / Format
- 1 fragment / 115.0 x 50.0 cm
- Origin
- Middle East
- Date
- Between the 8th and 12th century
- Epochs
- Style
- Language
1 available facsimile edition(s) of „Torah Scroll Fragment“
Torah Scroll Fragment
- Publisher
- Facsimile Editions Ltd. – London, 1998
- Limited Edition
- 126 copies
- Binding
- Each facsimile is supplied float-mounted on acid-free mount board and set in an elegant polished wood frame in dark oak with a discreet gold insert on the inner edge. It measures 97 x 72 cm (38 x 28 ins) and includes a message from Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and a full description of the manuscript. Each facsimile is individually numbered on a brass plaque.
- More Information
- Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
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