Brooklyn, NY – ‘Lubavitch Exhibit Of Rare Hebrew Books The Largest In Library’s History’

Brooklyn, NY – This year’s exhibit of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement’s rare book collection is the largest in its history.

Annual exhibitions have been held since the mid-90s, but this year’s is said to hold some of the rarest books reports The New York Times (http://bit.ly/W1akuh ).

The Chabad-Lubavitch movement has accumulated about 250,000 items, including some as old as the 11th century or before.

This year’s exhibit theme is early Jewish publishing. Some of the Hebrew books shown were published in the 15th and 16th centuries, and includes a rare page from the earliest book known to be printed in Hebrew – a commentary by 11th century Rabbi Sholomo Yitzchaki, known as Rashi, on the Torah.

Along with the Rashi text are printings of the Bible’s individual books from the house of Soncino, prayer books and early printings of books from the Talmud.

The exhibition is open Sundays through Thursdays, noon to 5 p.m., and Fridays, noon to 2 p.m. at Chabad’s headquarters in Crown Heights.

Watch below one hour video: A tour of the exhibit featuring antique books from the earliest Hebrew prints.