Early Printed Books (Incunabula)

The First Printed Hebrew Books

הספרייה הלאומית

The term 'incunabula' (or 'cradle books') refers to books printed during the earliest years of printing, from Gutenberg's invention of the printing press (around 1450) through 1500. These are the oldest printed books in the world.

The beginnings of Hebrew printing

The first printed Hebrew book was Rashi's commentary on the Torah, published in Reggio, Italy, in 1475. From then until 1500, approximately 200 Hebrew books were printed in various cities in Italy, Spain, and Portugal.

לפני הדפוס, כל ספר היה כתב יד ייחודי. הדפוס שינה את ההיסטוריה היהודית – מידע יכול היה להתפשט מהר יותר מאי פעם

The collection at the National Library

The National Library holds approximately 200 copies of Hebrew incunabula – one of the largest collections in the world. The collection includes books on Jewish law, biblical commentary, philosophy and science.

Shapers of Jewish culture

Hebrew incunabula shaped Jewish culture for generations. They determined which books would be accessible to the general public, thereby influencing what Jews studied and read. Hebrew printing made the Torah and Talmud available to all.