“Sacred Worlds: Revealing the Earliest Hebrew Book”
After 1,300 years of untold travels along the Silk Roads, the earliest intact Hebrew book will be revealed to the world for the first time this September, only at Museum of the Bible. Explore the Jewish adoption of the codex, or book, form. This change made it possible for observant Jews to study Hebrew texts on their own time, in their own spaces, or even on the road.
The earliest known example of a Hebrew codex, the Afghan Liturgical Quire (ALQ), survived hundreds of years and traveled thousands of miles from one land to another. This codex, created in the 700s, is one of precious few Hebrew manuscripts that survives from the “Silent Period” (AD 200–900).
From the Bamiyan Valley of Afghanistan, where Buddhism flourished along the Silk Roads, this sacred book began its journey toward an unexpected multicultural partnership. When it finally came to light, Muslims, Jews, and Christians collaborated on a human rights-based approach to ensure access to the ALQ.
Come and see this extraordinary artifact for yourself and explore the mysteries of the oldest Hebrew book ever discovered in Sacred Words: Revealing the Earliest Hebrew Book.
The Museum of the Bible presents:
The Afghan Liturgical Quire Speaker Series – Jewish History in Afghanistan
Join us to learn more about Afghanistan’s ancient Jewish community and its heritage and customs. Nestled on the Silk Roads, the Jews of Afghanistan lived in this mountainous land for as many as 2,700 years. Throughout its history, this small community’s livelihood was based on long-distance trade. Unusual domestic patterns developed to allow for long periods of time when men were away and women maintained households on their own. Influenced by the many peoples who surrounded them, Afghan Jews preserved their own distinct traditions and way of life.
This discussion will be led by ASF Board Member Osnat Gad, an Afghan Jewish community leader who has worked to preserve Jewish holy sites in Kabul and Herat, Dr. Sara Koplik, author of A Political and Economic History of the Jews of Afghanistan, and Jason Guberman, Executive Director of the American Sephardi Federation.
Sunday, 12 January at 3:30PM
Sign-up in-person!
Tickets: $24.99-$29.99
Sign-up on Zoom!
Tickets: $4.99-$9.99
These lectures will be held at the museum and on Zoom. Tickets for the event include general admission to the museum for those who want to see the Afghan Liturgical Quire on exhibit.