SMU’s Chinese Torah scroll goes to Vatican

To speak of the back story of the 17^th century Chinese Torah scroll at Bridwell Library seems inadequate.

Back saga is more like it.

And now there’s one more plot twist. The Torah scroll has gone on a visit to the Vatican, as part of an exhibit organized by The Green Collection/Museum of the Bible.

It will be on display at the Braccio di Carlo Magno museum, adjacent to St. Peter’s Square, through June 22.

The riches of Bridwell—the library of Perkins School of Theology, at Southern Methodist University in Dallas—are well known to Bible scholars. But this apparently is the first time a Bridwell Library item has been displayed at the seat of the Roman Catholic Church.

 “It’s a great opportunity for us to be represented in this exhibit and at the Vatican,” said Daniel J. Slive, Bridwell’s head of special collections.

Exactly how Judaism came to Kaifeng, China, remains unclear. Speculation centers on the Silk Road or some other trade route.

Whatever brought it about, the existence of an active Jewish community in Kaifeng from the 12^th through mid-19^th centuries is well-documented.

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Other views of Bridwell's 17th century Chinese Torah