CHANUKAH MANUSCRIPTS FROM THE BODLEIAN LIBRARY
We are delighted to present an exhibition of rare manuscript images related to the holiday of Chanukah at the Oxford University Bodleian Library, hosted at the Oxford University Chabad Society. The exhibition includes twenty fascinating Hebrew manuscripts focused on the subject of Chanukah, including images of the Menorah as found in the commentary of Rashi and Maimonides, as well as legal texts regarding the laws of the holiday. As as an introduction to the exhibition, an essay on a selection of the manuscripts relating to the development of the custom to light the Menorah can be found here.
Chanukah Manuscript Exhibition
RASHI COMMENTARY ON PENTATEUCH - MENORAH
MS. Canon. Or. 81, Fol. 132b
Author: Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, known as RASHI
The Bodleian Libraries, The University of Oxford, www.digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Date: 1396
Place of origin: Pescia (Italy)
RASHI COMMENTARY ON PENTATEUCH - MENORAH
Ms. Canonici Or. 35, Fol. 98b
Author: Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, known as RASHI
The Bodleian Libraries, The University of Oxford, www.digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Date: 1401–1425
Place of origin: [Italy?]
RASHI COMMENTARY ON PENTATEUCH - TEMPLE
MS. Michael 384, Fol. 142b
Author: Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, known as RASHI
The Bodleian Libraries, The University of Oxford, www.digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Date: 1399
Place of origin: Camerino, Italy
RASHI COMMENTARY ON PENTATEUCH – WITH IMAGE OF THE MENORAH
MS. Oppenheim 34, Fol. 48b
Author: Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, known as RASHI
The Bodleian Libraries, The University of Oxford, www.digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Date: 1201–1225
Place of origin: Ashkenaz
Machzor Vitry - Liturgy of Chanukah
MS. Oppenheimer 59
The Bodleian Libraries, The University of Oxford, www.digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Author: Rabbi Simcha of Vitry (d. 1105) with marginal annotations by Eleazar ben Judah Rokeach (c. 1176 – 1238)
Description: Compendium of Jewish law and liturgy
Display: Liturgy of Chanukah ‘Al Hanisim’ etc.
RABBI ISAAC ALFASI (RIF) – LAWS OF CHANUKAH
MS. Huntington 347, Fol. 27a
Author: Rabbi Isaac ben Jacob Alfasi (1013-1103)
The Bodleian Libraries, The University of Oxford, www.digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Date: 1201-1300
RABBI ISAAC ALFASI (RIF) – LAWS OF CHANUKAH
MS. Huntington 347, Fol. 27B
Author: Rabbi Isaac ben Jacob Alfasi (1013-1103)
The Bodleian Libraries, The University of Oxford, www.digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Date: 1201-1300
MAIMONIDES’ COMMENTARY ON MISHNAH (NEZIḲIN AND ḲODASHIM) – WITH DRAWING OF THE MENORAH
MS. Pococke 295, Fol. 184b
Author: Rabbi Moses Maimonides
Date: 1167–1168
Place of origin: Fostat
MAIMONIDES’ COMMENTARY ON MISHNAH (NEZIḲIN AND ḲODASHIM) – WITH DRAWING OF THE TEMPLE
MS. Pococke 295, Fol. 295a
Author: Rabbi Moses Maimonides
Date: 1167–1168
Place of origin: Fostat
Mishneh Torah – Laws of Chanukah with correction
MS. Pococke 307, Fol. 217b
The Bodleian Libraries, The University of Oxford, www.digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Author: Maimonides (1135-1204)
Date: 1301 – 1400
MISHNEH TORAH (SEFER HA-AVODAH AND SEFER HA-ḲORBANOT) - MENORAH
MS. Huntington 452, Fol 7a
Author: Rabbi Moses Maimonides
The Bodleian Libraries, The University of Oxford, www.digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Date: 1305-1325
MISHNEH TORAH (SEFER HA-ʻAVODAH AND SEFER HA-ḲORBANOT) – TEMPLE SANCTUARY
MS. Huntington 452, Fol 9b
Author: Rabbi Moses Maimonides
The Bodleian Libraries, The University of Oxford, www.digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Date: 1305-1325
MISHNEH TORAH (SEFER HA-AVODAH AND SEFER HA-ḲORBANOT) – TEMPLE (Square shaped sanctuary)
MS. Huntington 452, Fol. 12a
Author: Rabbi Moses Maimonides
The Bodleian Libraries, The University of Oxford, www.digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Date: 1305-1325
PISKE RID – LAWS OF CHANUKAH (Tractate Shabbat)
MS. Canonici Or. 90, Fol. 72a
Author: Rabbi Isaiah ben Mali di Trani (1180-1250)
The Bodleian Libraries, The University of Oxford, www.digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Date: 1293
Place of origin: Italy
Etz Chaim – 13th century English code of Jewish law – Laws of Chanukah
University of Liepzig Library
Author: Rabbi Jacob ben Judah Chazan of London
Date: written in 1287
Description: Code of Jewish Law, written before the expulsion of the Jews of England in 1290, reflecting the custom of the Jews of England. Written in two parts, containing 646 sections respectively, covering the full spectrum of Jewish law, based largely on the laws of Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah, while incorporating also laws from contemporary French and English rabbis, including Moses of Oxford/London.
Display: Laws of Chanukah
SEFER MITZVOT GADOL (SEMAG) - Laws of Chanukah
MS. Arch. Selden A. 5, fol. 216a.
Author: Rabbi Moses ben Jacob of Coucy (first half of 13th c.)
Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, www.digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Date 1301 – 1325
Description: Laws of Chanukah
SEFER MITZVOT KATAN (SEMAK) - Laws of Chanukah
MS. Arch. Selden A. 51, fol. 92a.
Author: Rabbi Isaac of Corbeil (d. 1280)
Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, www.digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Date: 1426 - 1475
Description: Laws of Chanukah.
SEFER HA-AGUDDAH (COMPENDIUM OF JEWISH LAW ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF THE TALMUD) - Laws of Chanukah
MS. Arch. Selden A. 7, fol. 187a.
Author: Rabbi Alexander Suslin HaKohen, known as Razach (d. 1349)
Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, www.digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Date: 1325 – 1375
Description: Laws of Chanukah
KENNICOT BIBLE WITH DAVID KIMHI'S SEFER MIKHLOL - WITH IMAGE OF THE MENORAH
MS. Kennicott 1
The Bodleian Libraries, The University of Oxford, www.digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Date: 1476
Place of origin: La Coruña
MEGILAT ANTIOCHUS IN ARAMAIC - THE SCROLL OF THE HASMONEANS
MS. Pococke 30, Fol. 217b
The Bodleian Libraries, The University of Oxford, www.digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Date: 1483
Place of origin: [Spain]
Content: Pentateuch with Psalms, Hafṭarot, Five Scrolls and Megilat Antiokhus.
Megilat Hachasmona’im, also known as Megilat Antiochus, has come down to us in both Aramaic and Hebrew. The Hebrew version (Siddur Otzer Yisrael) is a literal translation from the Aramaic original, which was composed probably in the seventh century and published for the first time in Montoba in 1557. During the Middle Ages this Megillah was read in the Italian Synagogues on Chanukah just as the Book of Esther was read on Purim. It still forms part of the liturgy of the Yemenite Jews. Sa'adiah Gaon attributed its authorship to the five sons of Matityahu. Click here to read the Birnbaum English translation.
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Essays on Hebrew Manuscripts at the Bodleian Library related to Chanukah - by Rabbi Eli Brackman
To read an essay on the development of the Menorah lighting in Jewish law according to the Oxford manuscripts click here.
To read an essay on Maimonides' view of the shape of the branches of the Temple Menorah click here.
To read an essay on Maimonides' view of the design of the Temple sanctuary click here.
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Other Hebrew Manuscript Exhibitions hosted at the Oxford University Chabad Society
Book of Esther manuscript exhibition - click here.
Passover Haggadah manuscript exhibition - click here.
High Holiday Machzor manuscript exhibition - click here.
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The exhibition is kindly supported by the Samson family of Toronto.