An Israeli librarian inspects a rare holy book before it goes on exhibit at the National Library in Jerusalem (photo: AP)
Nearly a dozen ancient holy books have finally made their way to Israel from Syria, following a multi-continent, James Bond-style operation. They traveled from Damascus to New York and finally to Jerusalem, where they are being kept at the National Library.
The 11 holy books, some dating back 1,000 years, were written by copyist of the Scriptures around the world and arrived in the Syrian capital in different periods. The Jewish community took pride in them and guarded them meticulously, helping them survive the political upheavals that took place in the city over the years.
The Damascus books are considered the world’s most ancient Bibles after the Aleppo Codex, which compared to them is torn and shabby.
The Rabin government decided to bring the books to Israel in 1995. The defense establishment, governmental organizations and immigrants from Syria took part in the secret operation.
:It was one of the most important operations we participated in,” says Eliyahu Hasson, chairman of the community of Damascus Jews in Israel, who served as director-general of the Transportation Ministry at the time.
Judy Feld Carr, a Canadian pensioner who turned helping Syria’s Jewry into her life’s work, lauds the operation as well. “Out of all the things I have done in my life, this operation was the most brilliant,” she declares.
What do you think?
3:39 pm
maravilhoso.Tenho certeza que serão muito bem preservados e estudados. Salve Israel!! Salve os siros que os guardaram todos estes muitos anos.
6:46 pm
That is exciting and good news! I am sure it was a risky operation, but those ancient bibles are priceless.
1:13 pm
The Jews are the root of the tree that is the Messiah. The non-Jews have been grafted in & are Spiritual Israel- One with God. Hassidism is so close to the Spiritual intimacy we have with Messiah~*
11:41 am
y has has land stolen from it for centuries now and area’s that are now part of other countries actually belongs to Israel. The comment about the West Bank is completely uncalled for!
11:39 am
Anything that has to do with Israel and ancient times as well as the times of Jesus are precious to me. I am of Jewish heritage and love everything about it. People need to realize that other countr
9:20 am
My friends and I regularly pray for Israel and God’s chosen people and consider it a privilege and joy to do so. Blessings and Love to all.
8:15 am
Get out of the West Bank.
12:38 pm
The West Bank belongs to Israel. God gave it to the family line of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and their descendants, forever.
11:47 am
“For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations: as thou hast done (to Israel) it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.” Obadiah 1:15 Obtain a copy of Israel – The Promise Kept from http://www.johnmcternan.name You will understand how important it is for America to support Israel. You will see what has happened In America when our presidents decide against Israel. Wake up America!
4:57 am
I LOVE THIS NATION MORE THAN ANY
1:43 pm
I love Israel and hope to go there someday from the U.S.
10:01 am
omg! this is awesome! how many do we have now? theirs the dead sea scrolls, aleppo codex, codex sinaiticus, silver scroll, The metal tablets am i missing anything else?
9:52 am
Shabat Shalom. I love Israel. I pray for peace of Jerusalem, the Holy City of David. Israel a lovely city blessed by God, evil shall not overcome it.
9:00 am
Hope this announcement doesn’t come across as boasting and cause a painful backlash against Jews and Christians. Maybe it should have just been a quieter celebration. Anyway, I’m glad for the recovery
2:28 pm
I think Israel is right to celebrate this success openly, and we as Christians should celebrate openly with them. I’d agree the celebrations shouldn’t be boastful or arrogant, but I don’t see this announcement being that. Taking pride in victories like this encourages and unifies people. Staying silent negates a huge benefit from an important victory. As such, if we are shamed or cowed into silence, then evil has won an even greater victory. The news that these priceless documents were taken from the clutches of Satan helps bring peace- shalom.
12:04 am
My husband, Rick, and me truly love Israel and pray that the Lord of heaven & Earth will intervene when Israel is attacked by Muslim countries. And they will turn on each other and not Israel. Shalom