The Codex Sassoon, an 1100-year-old Hebrew Bible, has found its final resting place at the ANU Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv. Following its historic auction at Sotheby’s New York on May 17, 2023, where it fetched $38.1 million, the manuscript now stands as a beacon of Jewish heritage and scholarship.
A Manuscript’s Journey Through Time
Dating back to circa 900 CE, the Codex Sassoon is the earliest and most complete Hebrew Bible known to exist. It bridges the gap between the fragmentary Dead Sea Scrolls and modern biblical texts, preserving a near-complete version of all 24 books of the Hebrew Bible. While missing 15 pages, it surpasses its counterparts, such as the Aleppo Codex and Leningrad Codex, in both age and completeness.
The Codex's Unique Features
The manuscript represents the Masoretic tradition of Tiberias, a ground-breaking system of vowels, cantillation marks, and Masoretic notes. These innovations ensured the accurate transmission of the sacred text across centuries. Written on parchment by a single scribe, the codex reflects unparalleled precision and dedication, with 792 pages that took up to two years to complete.
From Auction to Museum
The Codex Sassoon’s sale was a historic event, shattering records for the most expensive manuscript ever auctioned. Alfred H. Moses, a former U.S. ambassador to Romania, placed the winning bid on behalf of the American Friends of ANU. His family’s generous donation ensures that this cultural treasure will be accessible to the public for generations to come.
A Global Celebration
Before its permanent display in Tel Aviv, the Codex embarked on a world tour, captivating audiences in London, Tel Aviv, Dallas, Los Angeles, and New York. In Tel Aviv alone, over 10,000 visitors marvelled at its significance in just six days.
The acquisition of the Codex Sassoon by ANU underscores its commitment to preserving Jewish heritage. The manuscript serves as a testament to the resilience of Jewish culture and the enduring importance of textual accuracy in shaping civilization.
Sold for $38.1 million, it became the most expensive manuscript ever auctioned, surpassing Leonardo da Vinci’s „Codex Leicester” ($30.8 million). This codex marks the historical transition from scrolls to more accessible codices and is pivotal for its Masoretic annotations, which standardized the Hebrew Bible and have influenced religious practices and scholarship for over a millennium.
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