A Second Printing Press in Safed
Safed, home to the first printing press in the Land of Israel (see previous item), was also home to the second attempt at printing almost two and a half centuries later. In 1832, Israel Bak, an immigrant from Berdichev in the Ukraine, opened a Hebrew press in Safed, printing first a prayer book and then the Book of Leviticus exhibited here. Since Leviticus was traditionally used to teach children to read, perhaps this book was intended for the school-room. Bak’s printing press was as short-lived as his predecessor’s. In January 1837, an earthquake destroyed Safed, sending Bak first to a small mountain town further north and then, in 1841, to Jerusalem, where he printed more than 100 books over the next three decades.
Safed, home to the first printing press in the Land of Israel (see previous item), was also home to the second attempt at printing almost two and a half centuries later. In 1832, Israel Bak, an immigrant from Berdichev in the Ukraine, opened a Hebrew press in Safed, printing first a prayer book and then the Book of Leviticus exhibited here. Since Leviticus was traditionally used to teach children to read, perhaps this book was intended for the school-room. Bak’s printing press was as short-lived as his predecessor’s. In January 1837, an earthquake destroyed Safed, sending Bak first to a small mountain town further north and then, in 1841, to Jerusalem, where he printed more than 100 books over the next three decades.