Bidspirit auction | Fragment of a manuscript on

Fragment of a manuscript on parchment – The Prophets Hosea and Joel. Germany-France, 13th-14th century approximately - Handwritten on parchment – A fragment from the completion of the Book of Hosea, starting in the middle of Chapter 14, Verse 4, until the end of the book, and the beginning of the Book of Joel, from Chapter 1 until Chapter 2, Verse 11. The number of verses written in the upper part of the page is cut off. Characteristic Ashkenazi script. [Germany / France, 13th/14th century approx.]. Removed from a binding's geniza. There is some similarity between this manuscript and a well-known manuscript from the Bodleian Library, written in the city of Krista Arnault in southeastern France in 1296 (the year 1296 CE). [1] Parchment leaf. Maximum size - approximately 25X19 cm. Condition: Good-moderate. Stains, holes from insect damage, tears. The ink is strong in the vast majority of the words. During the Middle Ages, bookbinders used Jewish manuscripts as bindings for books. Jewish books were available and common, as the church and authorities frequently confiscated and burned these books. Additionally, Jews left books behind in their homes after pogroms and expulsions. One example of this is the decree to confiscate and burn books in Paris in 1240. In recent years, many attempts have been made to locate these manuscripts hidden within bindings in European libraries. Thus, ironically, the efforts to confiscate and destroy the books actually helped preserve them. Although the condition of these manuscripts was significantly damaged due to their use as bindings, many texts have still been preserved, and this can be seen as a spiritual victory for the Jewish people.