A rare Jewish text dating back to the 16th century, known as the Di Gara text, has been returned to the Jewish Theological Seminary of the University of Jewish Studies in Budapest after mysteriously ending up on an online marketplace. The book, published in Venice by Giovanni di Gara, contains the Chamisa Humshe Torrah (Five Books of Moses) and the Haftarot. The text changed hands over the years and was owned by Rabbi Lelio Della Torre in the 19th century before being stolen by Nazi soldiers from the Budapest Rabbinical Seminary in 1944 during World War II.
During the Nazi occupation of Budapest, the Budapest Rabbinical Seminary was looted and the Di Gara text disappeared. After eighty years, the book resurfaced in the United States and was noticed for sale on an online marketplace in March 2023. Homeland Security agents met with the seller, a New York Judaica specialist who had acquired the book in the 1980s, and the book was eventually handed over after a warrant was served. U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres confirmed the book’s forfeiture, and it will now be returned to its rightful home at the Budapest Rabbinical Seminary.
The return of the Di Gara text to the Budapest Rabbinical Seminary is a significant step in preserving the history of the Jewish faith and rectifying the theft that occurred during World War II. The book’s journey from Europe to the United States and back again highlights the importance of protecting cultural artifacts and returning them to their rightful owners. The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, emphasized the commitment to safeguarding priceless cultural property and ensuring it is returned to the people it belongs to.
The discovery and return of the Di Gara text shed light on the theft and looting that occurred during World War II, particularly in relation to Jewish artifacts and cultural treasures. The book’s presence on an online marketplace provided an opportunity for Hungarian officials to identify and reclaim the stolen text, ultimately leading to its return to the Jewish Theological Seminary in Budapest. The efforts of Homeland Security agents and the U.S. District Court played a crucial role in facilitating the forfeiture and return of the book.
The forfeiture of the Di Gara text represents a small but meaningful victory in the broader context of preserving cultural heritage and addressing historical injustices. The book’s return to the Jewish Theological Seminary in Budapest signifies a step towards rectifying the actions of those who looted and stole valuable artifacts during World War II. The significance of returning the text to its rightful owners underscores the importance of protecting and preserving cultural heritage for future generations to appreciate and learn from.
The story of the Di Gara text serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of Jewish texts and the importance of safeguarding cultural artifacts from theft and exploitation. The book’s journey from 16th-century Venice to Budapest, and eventually to the United States, highlights the resilience of cultural treasures and their ability to transcend time and distance. The return of the Di Gara text to the Jewish Theological Seminary in Budapest represents a triumph for the preservation of Jewish history and a symbolic victory in the ongoing efforts to protect and restore stolen cultural property.
