(The Center Square) – Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost wants to stop the sale of ancient Jewish texts and books at the nation’s first permanent Jewish institution of higher learning in Cincinnati.
Yost filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent Hebrew Union College from selling copies of the Talmud and other ancient books after the school expressed interest in parting with them to offset growing deficits.
Yost said donors have given money to fund the Klau Library and care for the rare books and manuscripts.
“These sacred texts are invaluable artifacts – religious and cultural treasures,” Yost said. “Their sale would not only betray donor trust but also may violate legal restrictions placed on the gifts.”
The collection includes 14,000 items in the library’s rare book room, with some potentially worth millions of dollars. Yost said the texts were given to the library with the understanding they would be preserved and maintained
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