Customer Reviews

The Leningrad Codex

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The Leningrad Codex (so named because it was housed in a museum in Leningrad, when it was Leningrad) is the oldest complete codex of the Hebrew Bible -- a codex being a book form, as opposed to scrolls; the other existing ancient codex, the Aleppo Codex, has a few sections missing; it may be older, but the incomplete nature (especially as it is missing part of the Torah) make its use limited. The same is not true for the Leningrad Codex -- for a thousand year old book, it is remarkably complete. Comparison of modern Hebrew Bibles to this text helps to highlight textual transmission validity and authenticity; other texts of the Hebrew Bible through the first millennium of the common era are incomplete or in fragments; the Dead Sea Scrolls, apart from being scrolls and not in codex or book form, date from pre-canonical times.

The Leningrad Codex is a big book, meant for public use. It is ornamented, with thick white parchment pages, and unusually has the wording of the text vocalised (Hebrew is generally written without vowel or vocalisation marks). In addition to the text of the Hebrew Bible, it includes an introductory section that dates the manuscript (to roughly 1008 to 1010), and places it as originating in Cairo, a city which at that point still had a significant Jewish and Christian community. The conclusion has Masoretic lists and a few poems, one by Moshe ben-Asher, and one by the scribe of this text, Shemu'el ben-Ya'aqob.

This is a photo-plate edition of the entire text, largely in black-and-white high resolution plates, with additional full-colour plates of carpet pages and a few text pages to give a sense of the natural colouration of the regular parchment pages. This edition was filmed in 1990 by a team from the University of Southern California, experts in the task of ancient document photography. The importance of preservation of this document cannot be overstated; given insecurities in all parts of the world, but particularly the former Soviet lands, rare and valuable items are vulnerable. This is a standard document against which later Hebrew Bibles are measured; it is an important milestone in the path of development of the texts.

There are nearly 1000 picture plates in this text, which include the front cover and backpiece of the book. The photography is so clear that the fading of one page onto the next or the bleed-through from the backside can clearly be seen; the photographs are not retouched for this purpose. All are in Hebrew. As this is a photographic reproduction, there are no textual notes, footnotes or other inserted text as a guide -- what you see is what you get.

This is not a book for the average Bible reader. Even more advanced biblical scholars will likely not need or come across this text. However, for those whose study requires comparison of texts, study of transmission and integrity of the text, this is a very worthwhile text. It is one that would make a fine gift to the libraries of churches, synagogues, seminaries and religious schools. It is a massive book, one that would look good on a lectern or on display in a museum or library. Even the facsimile copy is a work of art.

This book is truly Cherished. When I was doing my undergrad studies alol my professors got jealous of my owning this book. This is the Oldest Full connon of the Tenach, The Hebrew Bible. There are fantastic folio pages of rich colour. Whether you are a Jew, Muslim, or Christian this is an important text in terms of Biblical Scholarship. The only warning that I would give is learn Hebrew before obtaining or else you will be frustrated as 99 44/100% of the book is written in Hebrew. Every Synagogue and Church Library would be greatly enhanced in adding this very important text. Even Sunday School teachers would be blessed owning this book. I am in Seminary now and find that I use this book on a regular basis. I know that this book is rather on the pricey side, but it is a truly once in a lifetime purchase. This is a book to be used, loved, and adored. I hope that this review has been Helpful. Baruch HaShem Yeshua HaMashiach

You must be able to read Hebrew to read the bulk of this book. It is, after all, the Hebrew Bible! The introductionary material IS in English. Despite the fact that most of the work is in Hebrew, it is a testament to the scribes who toiled over this work to preserve it for later generations. There are some beautiful color plates in the book which illustrate the medieval Jewish use of calligraphy as art. This is a book which belongs in every synagogue in the world and which churches should be proud to own. Yeshivot and seminaries would also appreciate a copy for their libraries. If you love Torah you owe it to yourself to present a copy of this to an institution which will preserve and disseminate its contents.

I'm quite cynical the most time, so you could regard the book better than what I describe. This twice as heavy as is necessary photo-copy of a millenium-old manuscript on parchment pages, with the signature of the proof-reader, is at least good for the decoration of your book-shelf. It's beautiful! The good points of this book are mentioned by other readers so I'm going to point out the bad ones.
The text pages are photographed in black-and-white, which diminishes the readability - compared with the color plates of the masoretic rules. The photo itself seems not to be taken in the optimal ambient light. Yes, you can distinguish every corner of the characters from the parchment background. But the contrast is quite week at many of the pages.
And the area of each page is three- or four times as wide than the area occupied by the text itself. This makes the book at least twice as heavy as it would be necessary [edit: Nope, it's an exaggeration.] - be careful not to crush your toes or fingers! But it might be regarded to be good if you have a lot to write in on the margins. Or the margins could be regarded as good protection of the text; This facsimile edition could last another millenium.

[edit... many years after my original review]
One advice for who considers buying it personally. Buy it before you get married.

As a theological student I was overwhelmed the first time I saw this book. Now that I own my own copy, I have come to appreciate it even more -- especially since I can actually READ it now rather than simply look at it.

Access is a must for serious biblical scholars. After all, why do we learn biblical Hebrew -- in order to read the Bible in its original language. Though the Biblia Herbrica is a faithful text, why should we rely on anything but the oldest available complete text?

The introductory historical notes and additional notations are invaluable as well. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT BOOK IN MY LIBRARY and probably will continue to be for many years.

This is without a doubt the most beautiful book I own. I treasure it and wish I could present a copy to every synagogue, church, seminary and yeshiva so that all could actually see the original of most of our religious beliefs and practices. It is truly a millenial gift.

I wish to apologize about my bluffingly account about the margins of this book.
In the previous review I wished to rate this book 4.5 stars, which i couldn't, and now I rate it 5 stars so that it averages to 4.5 stars.
You'll find the margins are not as wide as I said in the criticism below. Actually the whole margin area is barely the same as the text area. Margin of the original codex + a little margin of the photography + margin around the photo adds up to as wide as the area occupied by the text.
The reason that the black-and-white photo gets darker than the color plates might be that the photo films are less sensitive to yellow than to blue. Since the parchment leaves are somewhat tinted in light yellow, the photocopy couldn't help appearing darker than it actually is.
If I could make touch with the publishers, I would like to advise them to use special film more sensitive to yellow light when they make the revision.

Dear Readers, students, and to whom it may concern:
This book cost me considerably, but compared to a Gutenberg Bible it is far more valuable than ten editions of that work! The photography is excellent, and the text is clear and plain as it can be made without enlarging the text to a massive size, and not edited or 'corrected for clarity'. All the Masora are in place. The Codex is presented 'as it is'. It is a terrible thing that we do not have any complete scrolls of great antiquity, but this Codex is what we have and it is a true treasure. I even built it a special lectern in my study. Let the critics say what they will about it not being in 'color' (there are 16 'carpet plates' in full color that are masterpieces of Hebrew scribal art) or whatever they choose to critique; it is the text and the Masora that are the true value of this Tome. This presentation of the textual content is without a doubt the best done to date, and is well worth the expense. If you can afford a volume and NEED the text for study: Get it. The introduction and editors comments,notes etc., are invaluable in themselves. This edition may not be available much longer, and the value will only go beyond the reach of average students.
I am in no way unhappy with my choice to purchase this edition of the Codex Leningradensis (mine having all the editorial and introductory notes in English). The seller sent it well packed and that rather quicker than expected! And one final comment, this volume this Codex in this edition should by all means be reprinted just as it is presented in this edition.
a very satisfied customer,
Manuel Colunga-Hernandez