The symbol of the story of Bosnia’s Jews is a 14th-century treasure — the famous Sarajevo Haggadah holy book, containing the biblical text of Exodus read by Jews at Passover. The ancient manuscript on bleached calfskin, illuminated in copper and gold, has been on permanent display at Bosnia’s National Museum since last month. Flames of the InquisitionThe ancestors of Sarajevo Jews first found refuge in Bosnia, then part of the Ottoman Empire, after being expelled from Spain by the Roman Catholic royals in 1492. ADVERTISEMENTThen in the late 19th century a Jewish family in financial difficulty sold the holy book to the national museum. Although few worshippers can be found at services, community leader Finci wants to believe that the history of Sarajevo Jews will go on.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 05, 2018 10:52 UTC