[Masechet Megillah]. Fragment of Tractate Megillah (f. 31 a-b).

(TALMUD, BABYLONIAN)

(Spain)

(13th-14th century)

Hebrew Manuscript on vellum. Spanish square script.

Due to the mass destruction of Hebrew books and manuscripts as a result of the Spanish Inquisition and expulsion, Spanish Hebrew manuscripts - and especially early Spanish Talmud fragments-are notoriously rare. This fragment contains a number of interesting variances from the standard published editions. For example, the published version (bottom of 31a) cites “Rav Huna” in the name of Rav as to which Haftorah is recited on Shabbath-Rosh Chodesh Av. This manuscript however quotes the passage in the name of “Rav Yehudah Brei DeRav Shmuel bar Shilath in the name of Rav.” Another passage in the published edition (31b) cites “R. Chiya bar Gamda,” while in the manuscript the name is “R. Acha bar Gamda.” Conversely, the text in the standard edition is somewhat than appears in this manuscript.