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 synagogue libraries existed in great numbers for there were probably as many libraries as there were synagogues and almost every little town had at least one synagogue. The alleged three hundred and eighty synagogues in Jerusalem may be fabulous and the alleged four hundred at Sharuhan was fabulous, but modern opinion recognizes a large number in large places.

Every synagogue had of course its "Roll of the law" but this was not all. It had besides a "large number of books"—an alleged fact for which Krauss gives four Hebrew authorities. The fact of some books at least is shown also by the very interesting passage in the edict of Augustus in behalf of the Jews as given in Josephus where he says: "But if any one be caught stealing their holy books . . . whether it be out of the synagogue or public school (?), he shall be deemed a sacrilegious person and his