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Our images

Note from the editors

We have great pleasure to display on our website a selection of images illustrating the world of Jewish Studies in objects. These artefacts highlight the historical development of Jewish culture, religion, literature, science and art as well as their interaction with other societies and cultures. They offer inspiration to the Journal of Jewish Studies, its many authors, editors, and readers.

Our collection of images would not be possible without the generous help of the past and present curators of the Hebrew and Jewish Collections at the Bodleian Library, the most supportive staff of the Leopold Müller Memorial Library and number of individuals and institutions mentioned in the captions. We are exceedingly grateful to all of them.

Our logo is inspired by the ancient Beit el-Ashwal synagogue inscription and is dedicated especially to young scholars as an invitation to step into the world of research and writing.

Kennicott Bible: full page illustration of the menorah. La Coruña, Spain, 1476. MS. Kennicott 1, fol. 120v © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

Kennicott Bible: full page illustration of the menorah. La Coruña, Spain, 1476. MS. Kennicott 1, fol. 120v © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Inscription with bilingual Hebrew and Aramaic text from the ancient synagogue Beit el-Ashwal. Yemen, third century CE © Israel Exploration Society

Inscription with bilingual Hebrew and Aramaic text from the ancient synagogue Beit el-Ashwal. Yemen, third century CE © Israel Exploration Society
Raphael Levi of Hannover by unknown painter: eighteenth century Jewish philosopher and man of science. Oil on canvas, Germany, 1760 © Historical Museum of Hannover

Raphael Levi of Hannover by unknown painter: eighteenth century Jewish philosopher and man of science. Oil on canvas, Germany, 1760 © Historical Museum of Hannover
Sacrum Legum Allegoria by Philo Judaeus: allegorical interpretation of Scripture, early Jewish writing, codex in Greek. Alexandria, third century CE. MS.Gr.class, c74(P)/2. © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

Sacrum Legum Allegoria by Philo Judaeus: allegorical interpretation of Scripture, early Jewish writing, codex in Greek. Alexandria, third century CE. MS.Gr.class, c74(P)/2. © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
The Works of F. Josephus: title page of English translation from Greek by Roger L’Estrange, ‘Noah and the Arc’. London 1702 © Leopold Müller Memorial Library, Oxford

The Works of F. Josephus: title page of English translation from Greek by Roger L’Estrange, ‘Noah and the Arc’. London 1702 © Leopold Müller Memorial Library, Oxford
Kennicott Bible: carpet page with geometrical decoration. La Coruña, Spain, 1476. MS. Kennicott 1, fol. 123r © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

Kennicott Bible: carpet page with geometrical decoration. La Coruña, Spain, 1476. MS. Kennicott 1, fol. 123r © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Pentateuch with Targum Onkelos, Prophetical Readings and the Five Scrolls: micrography: words turned into images. Germany, second half of the thirteenth century. MS. Add. 21160, fol. 300v © British Library

Pentateuch with Targum Onkelos, Prophetical Readings and the Five Scrolls: micrography: words turned into images. Germany, second half of the thirteenth century. MS. Add. 21160, fol. 300v © British Library
Tripartite Mahzor: initial-word panel to piyyut for New Year. Ashkenaz, ca. 1322, MS. Mich. 619, fol. 53r © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

Tripartite Mahzor: initial-word panel to piyyut for New Year. Ashkenaz, ca. 1322, MS. Mich. 619, fol. 53r © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
World map: a chart of geo-cultural division of Diaspora Jews. Bartholomeo Olives of Majorca, 1575. MS.C 2:7, 23 © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

World map: a chart of geo-cultural division of Diaspora Jews. Bartholomeo Olives of Majorca, 1575. MS.C 2:7, 23 © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Hebrew Astrolabe: solar and astral astronomical instrument. Probably Spain, c.1350 © The Trustees of the British Museum

Hebrew Astrolabe: solar and astral astronomical instrument. Probably Spain, c.1350 © The Trustees of the British Museum
Dead Sea Scrolls, Qumran Community Rule: the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) is represented by four dots. Qumran, c.100-75 BCE. © The Israel Museum, Jerusalem

Dead Sea Scrolls, Qumran Community Rule: the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) is represented by four dots. Qumran, c.100-75 BCE. © The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Mosaic floor in the Hammat-Tiberias synagogue: the central panel represents a zodiac wheel and the sun or Helios with whip and globe in the centre. Galilee, third-fourth century CE © Zev Radovan/Bible Land Pictures

Mosaic floor in the Hammat-Tiberias synagogue: the central panel represents a zodiac wheel and the sun or Helios with whip and globe in the centre. Galilee, third-fourth century CE © Zev Radovan/Bible Land Pictures
Commentary on Exodus 25 by Solomon ben Isaac, known as Rashi with an illustration of the menorah. France, early thirteenth century. MS.Opp. Add. fol. 69, 40r © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

Commentary on Exodus 25 by Solomon ben Isaac, known as Rashi with an illustration of the menorah. France, early thirteenth century. MS.Opp. Add. fol. 69, 40r © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Kennicott Bible: full border with birds and a hunting scene. La Coruña, Spain, 1476. MS. Kennicott 1, fol. 7v © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

Kennicott Bible: full border with birds and a hunting scene. La Coruña, Spain, 1476. MS. Kennicott 1, fol. 7v © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Coin, a silver shekel struck in Jerusalem: stem with three pomegranates and surrounding inscription in Hebrew ‘Jerusalem the holy’. Reverse. Jerusalem, 67 CE © courtesy of Gemini Auction

Coin, a silver shekel struck in Jerusalem: stem with three pomegranates and surrounding inscription in Hebrew ‘Jerusalem the holy’. Reverse. Jerusalem, 67 CE © courtesy of Gemini Auction
Wall painting in Dura-Europos synagogue: ‘Closed Temple’. Syria, third century CE. © National Museum of Damascus.

Wall painting in Dura-Europos synagogue: ‘Closed Temple’. Syria, third century CE. © National Museum of Damascus.
Lion’s head: limestone sculpture adorning the fountain in Sepphoris. Galilee, third/fourth century CE © photo G. Laron

Lion’s head: limestone sculpture adorning the fountain in Sepphoris. Galilee, third/fourth century CE © photo G. Laron
Tripartite Mahzor: initial-word panel to piyyut for the Day of Atonement. Ashkenaz, ca. 1322, MS. Mich. 619, fol. 130r © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

Tripartite Mahzor: initial-word panel to piyyut for the Day of Atonement. Ashkenaz, ca. 1322, MS. Mich. 619, fol. 130r © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
The Works of F. Josephus: title page of English translation from Greek by Roger L’Estrange, ‘Return of the Arc’. London 1702 © Leopold Müller Memorial Library, Oxford

The Works of F. Josephus: title page of English translation from Greek by Roger L’Estrange, ‘Return of the Arc’. London 1702 © Leopold Müller Memorial Library, Oxford
Midrash ha-Hokhmah: Hebrew translation from Arabic by Judah ben Solomon ha-Kohen of Euclid’s Elements and Almagest, completed in 1245, the work is considered to be the oldest Hebrew encyclopaedia of science. MS. Mich. 551, fols. 155v-156r © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

Midrash ha-Hokhmah: Hebrew translation from Arabic by Judah ben Solomon ha-Kohen of Euclid’s Elements and Almagest, completed in 1245, the work is considered to be the oldest Hebrew encyclopaedia of science. MS. Mich. 551, fols. 155v-156r © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Judeo-Arabic Sephardic script on blank pages of an Ashkenazic prayer book, record of debts. England, c. 1200. MS.133, fol. 350r. © Corpus Christi College, Oxford

Judeo-Arabic Sephardic script on blank pages of an Ashkenazic prayer book, record of debts. England, c. 1200. MS.133, fol. 350r. © Corpus Christi College, Oxford
Kennicott Bible: full border with pen-work decoration, inhabited by an ape musician and peacocks. La Coruña, Spain, 1476. MS. Kennicott 1, fol. 6v © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

Kennicott Bible: full border with pen-work decoration, inhabited by an ape musician and peacocks. La Coruña, Spain, 1476. MS. Kennicott 1, fol. 6v © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Ex libris of David bar Yosef Davidovits. The Netherlands, twentieth century © Coppenhagen Collection, Leopold Müller Memorial Library, Oxford

Ex libris of David bar Yosef Davidovits. The Netherlands, twentieth century © Coppenhagen Collection, Leopold Müller Memorial Library, Oxford
Tripartite Mahzor: initial-word panel for the opening prayer for the Day of Atonement. Ashkenaz, ca. 1322, MS. Mich. 619, fol. 100v © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

Tripartite Mahzor: initial-word panel for the opening prayer for the Day of Atonement. Ashkenaz, ca. 1322, MS. Mich. 619, fol. 100v © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
The First Booke of the most Ancient History of the Jews written by Josephus the soune of Matthias: illuminated header of page 799 from the first English translation of Josephus from Greek by Thomas Lodge. 1632, London © Leopold Müller Memorial Library, Oxford

The First Booke of the most Ancient History of the Jews written by Josephus the soune of Matthias: illuminated header of page 799 from the first English translation of Josephus from Greek by Thomas Lodge. 1632, London © Leopold Müller Memorial Library, Oxford
Kennicott Bible: full border with pen-work decoration and hybrids. La Coruña, Spain, 1476. MS. Kennicott 1, fol. 4r © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

Kennicott Bible: full border with pen-work decoration and hybrids. La Coruña, Spain, 1476. MS. Kennicott 1, fol. 4r © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Coin of Alexander Jannaeus, Hasmonaean ruler (103-76BCE) with Hebrew inscription’Yehonathan the High Priest and the congregation of the Jews’. Reverse © courtesy of Classical Numismatic Group

Coin of Alexander Jannaeus, Hasmonaean ruler (103-76BCE) with Hebrew inscription 'Yehonathan the High Priest and the congregation of the Jews'. Reverse © courtesy of Classical Numismatic Group
Hoard of gold, silver and bronze Roman coins mixed with two Bar Kokhba denarii, struck between 132-136 CE. Te’omim Cave, Israel. © photo B. Langford and B. Zissu (Journal of Jewish Studies 52, 2, pp. 262-83)

Hoard of gold, silver and bronze Roman coins mixed with two Bar Kokhba denarii, struck between 132-136 CE. Te’omim Cave, Israel. © photo B. Langford and B. Zissu (Journal of Jewish Studies 52, 2, pp. 262-83)
Tripartite Mahzor: initial-word panel to piyyut for New Year. Ashkenaz, ca. 1322, MS. Mich. 619, fol. 5v © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

Tripartite Mahzor: initial-word panel to piyyut for New Year. Ashkenaz, ca. 1322, MS. Mich. 619, fol. 5v © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Kennicott Bible: full border with birds and a hunting scene. La Coruña, Spain, 1476. MS. Kennicott 1, fol.7v © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

Kennicott Bible: full border with birds and a hunting scene. La Coruña, Spain, 1476. MS. Kennicott 1, fol.7v © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Sphaerics: Hebrew translation, completed in 1271, by Jacob ben Makhir of Greek mathematician Menelaus’ work c.100 CE. MS. Hunt. 96, fol. 36r © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

Sphaerics: Hebrew translation, completed in 1271, by Jacob ben Makhir of Greek mathematician Menelaus’ work c.100 CE. MS. Hunt. 96, fol. 36r © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Kennicott Bible: pen-work panel flanked with two poles with snakes on them, at the end of the Book of Jeremiah. La Coruña, Spain, 1476. MS. Kennicott 1, fol. 272r © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

Kennicott Bible: pen-work panel flanked with two poles with snakes on them, at the end of the Book of Jeremiah. La Coruña, Spain, 1476. MS. Kennicott 1, fol. 272r © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Tripartite Mahzor: initial-word panel to piyyut for the Day of Atonement. Ashkenaz, ca. 1322, MS. Mich. 619, fol. 201r © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

Tripartite Mahzor: initial-word panel to piyyut for the Day of Atonement. Ashkenaz, ca. 1322, MS. Mich. 619, fol. 201r © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Coin of John Hyrcanus II, Hasmonaean ruler (63-40 BCE) appointed by Caesar as High Priest, hereditary ethnarch. Obverse © courtesy of Classical Numismatic Group

Coin of John Hyrcanus II, Hasmonaean ruler (63-40 BCE) appointed by Caesar as High Priest, hereditary ethnarch. Obverse © courtesy of Classical Numismatic Group
Mishneh Torah by Maimonides: draft, a religious legal code in Hebrew, written in cursive Sephardic script. Egypt, c.1180. MS. Heb.d.32, fol. 51r © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

Mishneh Torah by Maimonides: draft, a religious legal code in Hebrew, written in cursive Sephardic script. Egypt, c.1180. MS. Heb.d.32, fol. 51r © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Josephus Antiquitatum Judaicarum: Latin translation from Greek, illuminated page 210. Basileae, 1535. Rare books 161 © Leopold Müller Memorial Library, Oxford

Josephus Antiquitatum Judaicarum: Latin translation from Greek, illuminated page 210. Basileae, 1535. Rare books 161 © Leopold Müller Memorial Library, Oxford
Hoard of silver coins, struck by Bar Kokhba’s administration between 132-136 CE. Te’omim Cave, Israel. © photo B. Langford and B. Zissu (Journal of Jewish Studies 62, 2, pp. 262-83)

Hoard of silver coins, struck by Bar Kokhba’s administration between 132-136 CE. Te’omim Cave, Israel. © photo B. Langford and B. Zissu (Journal of Jewish Studies 62, 2, pp. 262-83)
Inkwell from the Scriptorium of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Khirbet Qumran (before 68CE)

Inkwell from the Scriptorium of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Khirbet Qumran (before 68CE)
Kennicott Bible: full border with pen-work decoration and birds. La Coruña, Spain, 1476. MS. Kennicott 1, fol. 3r © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

Kennicott Bible: full border with pen-work decoration and birds. La Coruña, Spain, 1476. MS. Kennicott 1, fol. 3r © Bodleian Library, University of Oxford