Church Field Trip to View Ancient Hebrew Manuscripts 2025 (part one)

On December 13, 2025 I was privileged to lead a field trip of our church members to the Grolier Club to visit the Jewish Worlds Illuminated Exhibit.  This exhibit highlights a few of the many manuscripts in the renowned Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS)  of New York collection, the second largest collection of Hebrew manuscripts in the world.

Above is a photo of our group at the exhibit.

The collection on display represents ancient Hebrew manuscripts, Bibles, and other important documents from around the world.  This free exhibit is a breathtaking experience and once in a lifetime opportunity to see a specific collection of manuscripts that are not often available for public viewing.  The exhibit was made possible by the friends of the Grolier Club and the generosity of the Jewish Theological Seminary of New York.

Below I have commented on a few of the highlights:

A 15th Century Pentateuch from Yemen (JTS MS L66).  On display is Genesis chapter 5.  Notice the ornate masorah (marginal notes and footnotes) complete with decorative birds.

In this closeup (JTS MS L66) of Methusaleh’s genealogy, the vowels (vowel points) are clearly visible. This is a manifestation of the Lord’s promise in Matthew 5:18, “For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (KJV).

To be continued in part two…