Language:
שפה נוכחית
The National Library of Israel (NLI), the Ethiopian Jewry Heritage Center, and the Orit Guardians program at Tel Aviv University are proud to announce a new digitization project to scan and make available the rare holy books and manuscripts of the Beta Israel community. Until now, most of these items were held by the community’s Kesim (clergy) in private homes or Beta Israel synagogues but were not accessible to the public.
A recent gathering at the Library with Beta Israel leaders resulted in an agreement under which high-resolution digital scans of these items will be generated and made available to the public via the NLI website while the original items remain with the communities.
The manuscripts are written in the sacred language of Ge'ez and include the Octateuch known as the Orit (the Torah of Beta Israel. comprising the Pentateuch-- the five books of the Torah -- and the books of Joshua, Judges and Ruth), the Jewish apocryphal texts of Jubilees and Enoch, prayerbooks such as the Book of Psalms, and more. These are considered "living books" used in ongoing religious activities. In addition, there are also holy books held by descendants of Kesim.
Scanning is being conducted jointly by NLI and the Ethiopian Jewry Heritage Center. To date, 17 manuscripts have been scanned and will soon be available online. These include four copies of the Orit (two of which are very ancient); an 18th century Mesihafe Kufale (Book of Jubilees); Mazmura Dawit (Psalms of David); prayerbooks for the shmita year and Yom Kippur, the Arde’et (Book of Disciples), and the Mashafa Mala'ekt (Book of Angels or Enoch).
Dr. Haim Neria, Curator of the Haim and Hanna Solomon Judaica Collection, said, "The National Library of Israel is delighted to have reached an agreement with the leaders of the Beta Israel community to enable their scanning, cataloguing and accessibility of their manuscripts for the benefit of the public for generations to come. "
Yitzhak Gila, Director of the NLI Manuscripts Department, added, "For over 70 years, the Library has worked to make accessible images of Hebrew manuscripts, whether as photographs, microfilm, or digital technology. All are available online, and we are overjoyed to add the Beta Israel heritage to this digital collection."
Dr. Dalit Rom-Shiloni, Associate Professor at the Department of Biblical Studies at Tel Aviv University, stated, "The cooperation with the Ethiopian Jewry Heritage Center and the National Library of Israel is a very important added value for our continued academic activity, and for this we are very happy, and congratulate all the partners participate in the development of the study and research of the religious-spiritual leadership of Beta Israel."
"These cultural treasures are undoubtedly part of the community's heritage and deserve exposure to an interested public, while they will continue to be maintained with their owners in the various houses of worship."