The De Castro Pentateuch With Haftarot (portions from the Prophets) and Five Scrolls
Scribe: Netanel [ben] Daniel (?), Masorator: Levi ben David Ha-Lev1344
The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Israel
Commissioned by Joseph ben Ephraim for private use and public reading in the synagogue, this manuscript contains the Aramaic translation Targum Onkelos, as well as a hitherto-unknown version of the commentary of Rashi (Solomon ben Isaac, 1040–1105). The opening of each of the Five Books of Moses (Pentateuch) and the Five Scrolls is decorated with a large initial word and sometimes with an illustration, such as Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden for Genesis. A full-page depiction of the hanging of Haman and his sons closes the book of Esther.
Credit: Acquired on the advice of Joseph and Caroline Gruss and with the assistance of Friends of the Israel Museum
- Title: The De Castro Pentateuch With Haftarot (portions from the Prophets) and Five Scrolls
- Creator: Scribe: Netanel [ben] Daniel (?), Masorator: Levi ben David Ha-Lev
- Date Created: 1344
- Location: Germany
- Type: Manuscript
- Rights: The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Photo © Israel Museum, Jerusalem, by Ardon Bar Hama Digital photography funded by George S. Blumenthal, New York
- External Link: Israel Museum, Jerusalem
- Medium: Handwritten on parchment; dark brown and red ink, tempera, silver leaf; square and semi-cursive Ashkenazic script
- Dimensions: L: 46; W: 31 cm
- Curators: Raccah-Djivre, Daisy; Nizza, Anna
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