Pentateuch: Genesis (second half) and Exodus (first half), with Babylonian Complex Vocalization and some Tiberian Vocalization.

AUCTION 63 | Thursday, November 13th, 2014 at 1:00

Fine Judaica: Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters, Graphic and Ceremonial Art

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Lot 279

(BUKHARIAN BIBLE).

Pentateuch: Genesis (second half) and Exodus (first half), with Babylonian Complex Vocalization and some Tiberian Vocalization.

Hebrew Manuscript on Oriental laid paper without chain lines. Genesis: 27:33-29:13; 30:1-20; 30:33-31:41; 31:54-39:13; 40:4. * Exodus: 25:33; 26:22-29:29; 39:14-39. 112 folios (recently marked in pencil, on top left of each folio; one folio between 20 and 21 unmarked). Page size 5.3 x 7.3 inches, 15 lines per page. The paper leaves were ruled with a ruling-board (“mastura” in Arabic) however, these lines are rarely and barely visible (see e.g. fol. 4). The most prevalent device to justify the left margin was to write words diagonally that would exceed the margin. In some cases, the final spaces on the line are left empty, if the exceeding word is too large (even on the diagonal) – this was on the condition that the empty space was not large enough to be misinterpreted as a “section” (parashah). Some staining, final few leaves with some loss repaired. Later linen-covered boards. Housed in elaborate calf solander-case. Sm. 4to.

Bukhara: Second half of 15th-century

Est: $60,000 - $80,000

<<The present Bukharan manuscript is of the utmost rarity and importance.>> Very few medieval Bukharan Hebrew manuscripts have survived (all from the second half of the fifteenth century), and only one of them is a Pentateuch manuscript. This manuscript therefore is one of only two surviving medieval Bukharan Pentateuch manuscripts. Furthermore, it is <<the only surviving medieval Bukharan manuscript containing the second half of Genesis and the first half of Exodus>> (with some material missing in each part). Upon detailed examination (research material supplied) it is evident that this manuscript represents and preserves an older, alternate Pentateuch tradition concerning the text (mostly in plene-defective spellings); the division of the sections; and the layout of the Song of the Sea. Thus it is singularly able to supply insight as to the traditions of the Pentateuch in Medieval Bukhara. <<PALAEOGRAPHY:>> Unique features in the present manuscript are found in the following two manuscripts: MS Ramat-Gan, Bar-Ilan University 1004 (Moussaieff 130); MS New York