The Aleppo Codex: The Oldest and Most Accurate Manuscript of the Hebrew Bible
The Aleppo Codex, a medieval manuscript of the Hebrew Bible, is considered one of the oldest and most accurate texts of its kind. Over the centuries, it has embarked on a fascinating journey through various countries and cultures.
Chronology of the Wanderings of the Aleppo Codex
From sacred books to canon
One revolution began towards the end of the First Temple period, as the Jewish people started to transform their ancient traditions into sacred scriptures. This movement gained momentum particularly after the destruction of the Temple and the Babylonian exile in the late 6th century BCE, culminating in the first centuries CE with the canonization of the corpus of sacred books we now know as the Hebrew Bible. These writings laid the foundation for the New Testament and the Quran.
From scroll to codex
Comparisons of the biblical scrolls from Qumran have shown that several versions of the biblical text were in circulation among the Jews. One of these versions, known as the “pre-Rabbinic” or “pre-Masoretic” text, was considered authoritative and formed the basis for the Aleppo Codex.
The Birth of the Aleppo Codex
The Aleppo Codex, known as Keter (Crown) in Hebrew, was penned in Tiberias in the early 10th century AD. It was written by Solomon ben Buya’a and vocalized and annotated by Aaron ben Asher, the last of the Masoretes. The codex is known as the most accurate existing manuscript of the Masoretic Text.
Maimonides and the Aleppo Codex
After the Aleppo Codex was smuggled to Egypt, Maimonides used it as a basis for the laws regarding Torah scrolls in his legal code, the Mishneh Torah.
From Egypt to Aleppo
By the end of the 14th century, the Aleppo Codex was brought from Egypt to Aleppo, Syria, and kept there in the old synagogue in a metal case, far from public view.
The Fame of the Aleppo Codex
The fame of the Aleppo Codex spread far and wide, and generations of scribes consulted it to obtain authoritative answers to their textual queries.
The Disappearance of the Aleppo Codex
On the 1st. On December 1, 1947, two days after the adoption of the UN resolution for the establishment of the State of Israel, anti-Jewish riots broke out in Arab countries. The old synagogue of Aleppo was also attacked, and the Aleppo Codex stored within it was believed to be lost.
Rescue of the Aleppo Codex
However, it turned out that the codex was rescued and about ten years later, in 1958, it was brought to Jerusalem in a bold secret operation.
The Aleppo Codex as a Symbol
Upon arrival in Jerusalem, the conditions under which the codex was stored changed completely. In Aleppo, it was shrouded in secrecy and far from public view. In Jerusalem, however, it is publicly displayed in the Shrine of the Book.
The Aleppo Codex stands today as a symbol of the resilience and continuity of the Jewish people and their sacred scriptures. He is a testimony to the tireless efforts to preserve and transmit the biblical texts throughout the centuries, and remains an invaluable resource for understanding the Bible.
Chronology of the Wanderings of the Aleppo Codex
Origin
Location: Tiberias, under the Abbasid Caliphate
Der Aleppo Codex, also known as “Keter Aram Zuba” in Hebrew, is written in Tiberias by the scribe Solomon ben Buya’a in collaboration with the Masoretes Aaron ben Asher. This manuscript is considered the most accurate representation of the Masoretic text and is viewed by the Jewish philosopher Maimonides as a authoritative source for the Masoretic tradition.
Early custody
Location: Jerusalem
Israel Simhah, a wealthy Karaite from Basra, Iraq, acquires the Aleppo Codex and donates it to the Karaite synagogue in Jerusalem. This synagogue belongs to the community of Karaite Jews, a denomination that recognizes the Tanakh as the sole religious authority and rejects the Talmud and rabbinic traditions. In this synagogue, the codex is henceforth kept, making it one of the first known guardians of this important manuscript.
Conquest and plunder
Location: Jerusalem, then Cairo
Between 1071 and 1099 AD, the Aleppo Codex left Jerusalem under unclear circumstances, possibly either by the Seljuks in 1071 or by the Crusaders in 1099. It is offered for sale in Egypt. There, it finds its place in a Rabbanite synagogue in Cairo, where it is used for study purposes by renowned scholars like Maimonides.
Maimonides and the codex
Location: Cairo
Maimonides relies on the Aleppo Codex for formulating laws regarding Torah scrolls in his legal code, the Mishneh Torah.
Transfer to Aleppo
Location: Aleppo, Syria
The transfer of the Aleppo Codex to Aleppo, Syria, is attributed to the late 14th century. The manuscript was kept in the Central Synagogue of Aleppo, also known as the Old Synagogue or Joab’s Synagogue. This place of worship, a cornerstone of the Jewish community in Aleppo, dates back to the 5th or 6th century. The codex was securely kept in a special metal cabinet, known as the “Keter Cabinet,” inside the “Elijah’s Cave” of the synagogue. Access was strictly limited to senior rabbis and scholars.
Over a period of about six centuries, the codex served various religious and scientific purposes. Although of immense significance and inestimable value, its existence remained primarily known to a limited number of community members. Information about the codex was largely withheld by the community, which regarded it as one of their most valuable treasures.
The exact circumstances of its transfer from Egypt to Aleppo are not fully documented. Various theories exist: Some sources claim that the codex came to Aleppo as part of a dowry in a Jewish wedding, while others speculate that it was transferred there by merchants or scholars.
Anti-Jewish riots and damage
Location: Aleppo, Syria
The synagogue where the codex is kept is set on fire during anti-Jewish riots. The codex disappears and reappears in Israel in 1958, missing about 40% of its pages.
Arrival in Israel
Location: Israel
The codex is smuggled to Israel and handed over to the then President Yitzhak Ben-Zvi. Later, it is entrusted to the Ben-Zvi Institute and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Extensive restoration work is carried out.
Scientific attention
Location: Israel
Scholars are given the opportunity to study the codex. Theories about the missing pages emerge, including the possibility that they are still in private ownership.
Modern editions
Location: Israel
The “Jerusalem Crown,” a modern edition of the Tanakh based on the Aleppo Codex, is printed.
Recognition by UNESCO
The Aleppo Codex is inscribed in the UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.
Current State
Location: Israel Museum, Jerusalem
The codex is kept in the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum. It consists of 294 existing pages and some rediscovered fragments.
Open Questions and Controversies
- Missing Pages: The whereabouts of the missing pages remain an open question and subject to various theories and debates.
- Authoritative Text: Questions regarding the role of the codex in historical and current masoretic practices continue to be explored.
- Reconstructions: Efforts to reconstruct the missing parts based on various methods are underway.
The Central Synagogue of Aleppo: A Monument of History, Faith, and Culture
Nestled in the heart of Aleppo, the largest city in Syria, lies an architectural and cultural gem known as the Central Synagogue of Aleppo. With a history dating back to the 5th century AD, this synagogue served as the spiritual center of the Syrian-Jewish community. Also known as the Great Synagogue of Aleppo, Joab’s Synagogue, or Al-Bandara Synagogue, it was built in the Byzantine style and has undergone many changes and restorations over the centuries.