 |
| Torah number 12, at Southern Methodist University |
The Torah Scrolls of the Chinese Jews, by Michael Pollack, is the only full length study (that I am aware of) of the Torah scrolls of the community of Jews who lived in Kaifeng, China, for several centuries. After a presence of at least 700 years (probably more) the community succumbed to the falling fortunes of their city and China in the nineteenth century. By then, members of the community were selling their sacred books for food, including thirteen Torah scrolls.
Pollack examines the history of the Torah scrolls of the community, which were written in the mid-1600s. He follows their travels and sales, and eventual homes in libraries and museums in the West. He accounts missing scrolls up to the point of their final reference in various sources. Finally, he examines some textual matters concerning the scrolls, how they were written, their historical precursors, and the patterns of their numerous errors.
Pollack is kind to the Kaifeng Jewish Torah tradition. These Torahs have numerous errors, and would not be considered fit for use in a shul service. But Pollack is quick to point out that this small community produced thirteen Torah scrolls after a damaging flood, without help from Jews from outside China.
This was an amazing accomplishment, and proof of the incredible vibrancy of Chinese Judicial. Pollack's gentle hand enables us to view a Kaifeng tradition of writing holy books with clarity, allowing such studies as The Haggadah of the Kaifeng Jews of China by Fook-Kong Wong and Dalia Yasharpour, who seek to understand the written heritage of the Kaifeng Jews, and not judge it.
Pollack examines the history of the Torah scrolls of the community, which were written in the mid-1600s. He follows their travels and sales, and eventual homes in libraries and museums in the West. He accounts missing scrolls up to the point of their final reference in various sources. Finally, he examines some textual matters concerning the scrolls, how they were written, their historical precursors, and the patterns of their numerous errors.
 |
| The Great Mosque in Kaifeng, which has a similar design to the synagogue |
Pollack is kind to the Kaifeng Jewish Torah tradition. These Torahs have numerous errors, and would not be considered fit for use in a shul service. But Pollack is quick to point out that this small community produced thirteen Torah scrolls after a damaging flood, without help from Jews from outside China.
This was an amazing accomplishment, and proof of the incredible vibrancy of Chinese Judicial. Pollack's gentle hand enables us to view a Kaifeng tradition of writing holy books with clarity, allowing such studies as The Haggadah of the Kaifeng Jews of China by Fook-Kong Wong and Dalia Yasharpour, who seek to understand the written heritage of the Kaifeng Jews, and not judge it.
No comments:
Post a Comment