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An Israeli search and rescue team found centuries-old Book of Esther scrolls while helping Turkish authorities save people trapped under the rubble from the massive earthquake which devastated Turkey.
The 200-year-old historical Book of Esther scroll was recovered from the ruins of the Jewish synagogue in Antakya, formerly Antioch which was destroyed in the earthquake, according to a report by MintPress News.
Turkish media reported that the rescue team led by the Israeli military earlier took away the recovered scroll.
However, the manuscript was later handed over to Turkish authorities following a warning from the Turkish Jewish community.
Turkish public had also complained and condemned Israel's action on social media, accusing Israel in several tweets of "stealing" the manuscripts- a development which forced Jerusalem to return the scrolls to Turkey.
The Turkish Jewish community confirmed in a tweet that the Book of Esther manuscripts had been returned to Turkey.
"The relevant manuscripts of Esther were received from Israel and are now preserved in Turkey and will return to Antioch after the renovation of the Jewish synagogue," the tweet read.
According to the Times of Israel, the Book of Esther, which tells the story of "Jewish deliverance during the Achaemenid Persian Empire in around the 5th century BCE," is traditionally read from a handwritten scroll as part of the Purim holiday.
Religion. History.
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