Hamas War

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Judaica vs A Picasso

I was reading this Foward article about a famous, super-valuable Judaica collection for sale, the  Valmadonna Trust Library.  $25 million did seem outragously expensive for books, even those as old and valuable as a Bible, completed in 1189.



Then the article mentioned that people spend more for one "lesser Picasso," and then it put things in a very different perspective for me. 

For those who have the money, a Picasso just needs some wall space and a security system.  But a library needs a room, or more, and suitable shelving and security.  When I had asked Matan's Malke Bina about trying to get a donation of English-translated reference books, her reply was that they'd need the space and shelves as part of the donation.  There's no room in the Beit Medrash, Library for more books.

Let's think about it... 

What really is more valuable, a Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Picasso or a library of irreplaceable Judaica?

No comments: