Q&A: Torah Manuscript Without Provenance?
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Torah Manuscript Without Provenance?
Question
Hello Rabbi,
How does the Rabbi relate to Torah sources such as a manuscript without provenance, especially ones attributed to the authors of the books themselves, which in our circles have earned the nickname “the author’s own handwritten manuscript”?
Thank you in advance,
Benjamin
Answer
I didn’t understand the question.
Discussion on Answer
I don’t have a position on this question, and in my opinion it’s also not really that interesting. A position should be evaluated on its own merits: is it reasonable and logical and does it fit the sources, or not. Why should I care whether that’s what the Rashba meant or not?!
How does the Rabbi relate to manuscripts attributed to famous authors, especially when the source of the manuscripts is in private collections without documented provenance? How much can one rely on such manuscripts, especially regarding editing books, changing textual versions, censorship, etc.?
Best regards,
Benjamin