Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has submitted a temporary restraining order against Hebrew Union College‒Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati to prevent the sale of valuable books and manuscripts, including copies of the Talmud.
Yost argues that selling the tomes would “not only betray donor trust but also may violate legal restrictions placed on the gifts,” according to the Washington Examiner.
He stated that “these sacred texts are invaluable artifacts—religious and cultural treasures.”
The university’s rare-book room features some 14,000 items. Selling from the collection could produce millions of dollars and potentially break agreements that led to the donation of rare books and documents. Yost said any potential sales from the library would require those funds to go towards purchasing other valuable historical materials.
“We are committed to ensuring that these irreplaceable items remain available to the public and are cared for as their donors intended,” he said.
Founded in 1875 in Cincinnati, Hebrew Union College merged with the Jewish Institute of Religion in New York in 1950.
