The National Library of Israel in Jerusalem is now home to the world’s largest and most important collection of “Kabbalistic Tree” scrolls in the world after it added 36 scrolls to its collection of Judaica last week.
These scrolls, known in Hebrew as ilanot, or trees, come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be up to 11 metres long.
They feature text and diagrams that serve to illustrate the esoteric teachings of the Kabbalah, a strain of Jewish mysticism dating back to the 12th century.
One of the scrolls given to the National Library of Israel (Photo: National Library of Israel)
Known as the Gross collection, the 36 ilanot, dating from 1660 to 1920, were bought for an undisclosed sum from collector William Gross, whose private Judaica collection is considered the largest of its kind.
Joining the NLI’s existing 25, the collection of more than 60 ilanot comes from all over the world, including Europe, Iraq, Kurdistan, Morocco and Yemen.
Dr Chaim Neria, curator of the Haim and Hanna Solomon Judaica Collection at the NLI, said the Gross collection was “extraordinary for its scholarly importance and sheer diversity”, and contains various examples of original Hebrew works that have “great historical, research, and aesthetic value.
"[The collection] contains beautiful and rare ilanot, some illuminated with colours, created by Kabbalists from all over the Jewish world, that are both a visual and spiritual experience.”
Another of the scrolls given to the library (Photo: National Library of Israel)
For the Kabbalists, the scrolls provided diagrams or descriptions of the divine world and religious concepts. They were essential for understanding the structure of God’s perceived attributes and aspects, and for carrying out religious practices such as yichud (unification), and Kabbalistic prayer.
Dr Raquel Ukeles, the NLI’s head of collections, said: “We are delighted that these rare items will be an integral part of our national memory, preserved on the one hand but also digitally and physically accessible on the other.
"They will receive the recognition they deserve as distinctively Jewish works, and as rare treasures at the National Library of Israel.”
The NLI has long been a world centre for Kabbalah scholars and researchers and is set to move to a new landmark building and campus in central Jerusalem in the autumn.
Dr Raquel Ukeles (Photo: Handout)
Shai Nitzan, NLI rector, said: “The kabbalistic trees are among the one-of-a-kind collections we are acquiring in advance of the library’s move to its new location.
"We are committed to enriching the library with items that will expand our collections, and making them accessible to the public, reinforcing our vision to serve as the curator of the spiritual treasures of the Jewish people.”
The library is currently undergoing “an ambitious journey of renewal” through the mass digitisation of its world-renowned collection of ancient manuscripts, books, textual Judaica, Jewish and Israeli music, photographs, and maps to encourage audiences around the globe to engage with its treasures.
