TREASURES FROM THE RABBI’S LIBRARY – SEASON 3, EPISODE 1

THE FORGED YERUSHALMI ON KODSHIM

One of the most intriguing literary scandals of the Jewish world over the last 200 years is the story of the forged Yerushalmi on Kodshim. Compiled by a charismatic conman, Rabbi “Dr.” Shlomo Yehuda Friedlander, it was initially greeted with enthusiasm before being exposed as a sophisticated forgery.

Rabbi Dunner introduces this rollercoaster story via an article in the jubilee volume of HaPardes, the rabbinic journal of the orthodox rabbinate of the United States. Written in 1951 by Rabbi Leopold Greenwald (1888–1955) of Columbus OH, the article recalls his relationship with Friedlander during the period of the forgery controversy.

Rabbi Dunner illustrates this fascinating story with a range of literary and manuscript treasures, including some unexpected surprises.