Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Nazi-Looted 16th-Century Jewish Bible Returns to Budapest

The rare Di Gara Text, missing for nearly 80 years, is set to be returned to its rightful home at the Budapest Rabbinical Seminary after being discovered in New York.

  • The Di Gara Text, consisting of a Hebrew Torah and Haftarot from the 16th century, was looted by Nazis in 1944 from the Budapest Rabbinical Seminary.
  • The book was found listed for sale online for $19,000, prompting Hungarian officials to seek U.S. government intervention for its return.
  • The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York facilitated the book's return after a legal agreement with the seller, who unknowingly possessed the looted text.
  • The book is part of a larger effort to recover cultural artifacts looted during World War II, with increased success due to digital library records.
  • The return of the Di Gara Text highlights ongoing global efforts to restore historical and cultural heritage to rightful owners.
Hero image