"You see with manuscript illustration how much exchange there was between Jewish communities and their host communities"

Ahead of the opening of the British Library's new exhibition, Hebrew Manuscripts: Journeys of the Written Word, JR’s Arts Editor Judi Herman explored it via a virtual private view. There she met Cassy Sachar, librarian at Leo Baeck College, so the pair got together online later to share their thoughts on this stunning and deeply rewarding display of rarely-seen treasures from as far back as the 10th century. Pieces come from Europe and North Africa, through to the Middle East and China, taking viewers on a "journey beyond the Bible to discover the history, culture and traditions of Jewish people from all corners of the world through the ages". The collection spans science, religion, law, music, philosophy, magic, alchemy and Kabbalah, and explores the relationships between Jews and their neighbours in the communities in which they lived.

Photos by David Jensen

Hebrew Manuscripts: Journeys of the Written Word runs Tuesday 1 September 2020 – Sunday 11 April 2021. British Library, NW1 2DB. www.bl.uk