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Aaron Lighting the Temple Menorah, from the Regensburg Pentateuch

Copied by David ben Shabetai German
 Copied by Baruch German
 Masoretic text by Jacob ben Meir

Not on view

Ever-present for medieval Jews, the absent Temple is here commemorated in the pages of an illuminated Hebrew Bible. The high priest Aaron reaches across its pages to light the enormous seven-branched Temple menorah. He wears the vestments of his office as prescribed in the biblical text, including the breastplate of precious stones, each inscribed with a name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, and a robe edged with golden pomegranates and bells. The Temple implements were once completely gilded and, together with the tree symbolizing the Mount of Olives, served to illuminate the links among the Bible, the Temple, the Holy City, and the Jewish people.

Aaron Lighting the Temple Menorah, from the Regensburg Pentateuch, Copied by David ben Shabetai (German, active Regensburg, late 13th–early 14th century), Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment; 246 folios, German

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Aaron Lighting the Temple Menorah, from the Regensburg Pentateuch, Copied by David ben Shabetai (German, active Regensburg, late 13th–early 14th century), Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment; 246 folios, German
Aaron Lighting the Temple Menorah, from the Regensburg Pentateuch, Copied by David ben Shabetai (German, active Regensburg, late 13th–early 14th century), Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment; 246 folios, German

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