Judaistisk samling
Item
Country
DK
Name of institution (English)
The Royal Library
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
dan
Contact information: postal address
Christians Brygge 8, 1219 Copenhagen
Contact information: phone number
0045 3347 4747
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
kb@kb.dk
Reference number
Ms. Hebr.
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (English)
Judaica collection
Title (official language of the state)
Judaistisk samling
Language of title
dan
Creator / accumulator
Kgl. Bibliotek
Date note
bulk (manuscripts): 15th century/18th century
Language(s)
ara
deu
heb
ita
lad
por
yid
others
Extent
undetermined (348 manuscripts catalogued in the National Library of Jerusalem online catalogue)
Type of material
Textual Material
Scope and content
The Judaica collection of the Royal Danish Library comprises manuscripts and printed books in Jewish languages and other Jewish-related materials in Western languages.
One of the highlights of this collection is a manuscript copy of Maimonides' Guide for the Perplexed, also known as "The Copenhagen Maimonides", copied and illuminated in Catalonia in 1348 (Ms. Hebr. 37). This manuscript is particularly remarkable because of its rich illuminations. It was acquired in 1732 by the Royal Danish Library together with other titles from the book collection of Christian Danneskjold-Samsøe (1702-28).
The manuscript collection of the Royal Danish Library also includes a copy of a treatise by Solomon de Meza (1727-1800) entitled "Institutos divinos nos quais se tratam todos os Ritos et Ceremonias judaycas que hojem se observam juntamente com suas Rasoens naturais, philosophicas & morais illustrado com a Authoridade dos authores mais classicos da nossa naçam judaica composto por o Doutor Selomoh de Abraham de Jahacob de Meza. Hafniae 10 Agosto 1755" (NKS 112 b kvart).
One of the highlights of this collection is a manuscript copy of Maimonides' Guide for the Perplexed, also known as "The Copenhagen Maimonides", copied and illuminated in Catalonia in 1348 (Ms. Hebr. 37). This manuscript is particularly remarkable because of its rich illuminations. It was acquired in 1732 by the Royal Danish Library together with other titles from the book collection of Christian Danneskjold-Samsøe (1702-28).
The manuscript collection of the Royal Danish Library also includes a copy of a treatise by Solomon de Meza (1727-1800) entitled "Institutos divinos nos quais se tratam todos os Ritos et Ceremonias judaycas que hojem se observam juntamente com suas Rasoens naturais, philosophicas & morais illustrado com a Authoridade dos authores mais classicos da nossa naçam judaica composto por o Doutor Selomoh de Abraham de Jahacob de Meza. Hafniae 10 Agosto 1755" (NKS 112 b kvart).
Archival history
Since its early times, the Royal Library has collected Jewish manuscripts and other materials on Judaism and Jewish culture to support the interest of the Church and the University in the Hebrew Bible and the need to refute the Jewish interpretation of the Sacred texts. However, the greatest expansion of the collection came with the acquisition of Rabbi David Simonsen's collection in 1932, which included approximately 200 manuscripts, 25,000 printed volumes, and a valuable archive. The collection came through the Nazi occupation of Denmark during World War II unscathed and was subsequently expanded through acquisitions and donations.
Administrative / Biographical history
The origins of the Royal Library of Denmark date back to 1648 and to the efforts undertaken by King Frederik III to gather a comprehensive manuscript and book collection. The library opened to the public in 1793.
Its collection was largely expanded after the merger with the Copenhagen University Library in 1989. In 2005, the Royal Library also incorporated the collection of the Danish National Library for Science and Medicine.
The manuscript collection is currently preserved in the so-called "The Black Diamond", an extension to the Royal Library designed by architects Schmidt Hammer Lassen and finished in 1999. This building became one of the most significant architectural landmarks on the Copenhagen waterfront.
Its collection was largely expanded after the merger with the Copenhagen University Library in 1989. In 2005, the Royal Library also incorporated the collection of the Danish National Library for Science and Medicine.
The manuscript collection is currently preserved in the so-called "The Black Diamond", an extension to the Royal Library designed by architects Schmidt Hammer Lassen and finished in 1999. This building became one of the most significant architectural landmarks on the Copenhagen waterfront.
Access points: locations
Access points: persons, families
Access points: subject terms
Access points: document types
Access, restrictions
Digital copies of some manuscripts are available at:
Links to finding aids
Author of the description
Carla Vieira, 2023
Linked resources
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| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
| כתיב (Ktiv) | Existence and location of originals |
| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Det Kongelige (Kgl.) Bibliotek | Collections (official language of the state) |