Hebrew Scholarship and the Medieval World

This book surveys what has been achieved in recent research on medieval Hebrew language and texts.

Nicholas de Lange (Edited by)

9780521781169, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 26 March 2001

262 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.502 kg

"Nicholas de Lange is to be congratulated for his editorial work..." Daniel J. Lasker, Journal of Hebrew Scriptures

This book brings together specially commissioned contributions by leading scholars from around the world, who focus on the place of Hebrew scholarship in the Middle Ages. Hebrew language is at the heart of the volume, but beyond that there is a specific focus on scholarly investigation and writing, interpreted in the broad sense to include not only linguistic study pursued for its own sake but also as applied in other areas, such as biblical commentary or poetic creation. At the same time there is a focus on contemporary scholarship. Several of the contributions survey research in major areas. Thirdly, the place of Hebrew scholarship within a wider medieval world is a subject that receives special attention, and particularly the interaction between Jewish scholars and their Christian and Muslim counterparts.

Preface
Abbreviations
Part I. New Lines of Investigation: 1. The study of medieval Karaism, 1989–99 Daniel Frank
2. Hebrew scholarship in Byzantium Nicholas de Lange
3. Hebrew philology in Sepharad: the state of the question Angel Sáenz-Badillos
4. Some recent developments in the study of medieval Hebrew liturgy Stefan C. Reif
Part II. The Hebrew Language: 5. The early eastern schools of Hebrew grammatical thought Geoffrey Khan
6. Banner, miracle, trial: medieval Hebrew lexicography between facts and faith Albert van der Heide
7. The knowledge and practice of Hebrew grammar among Christian scholars in pre-expulsion England: The evidence of 'bilingual' Hebrew–Latin manuscripts Judith Olszowy-Schlanger
Part III. Prayer and Poetry: 8. The origin of the Qaddish Michael Weitzman
9. The journey inward: Judah Halevi between Christians and Muslims, Spain and Palestine Yosef Yahalom
10. Abraham Ibn Ezra as a harbinger of changes in secular Hebrew poetry Masha Itzhaki
11. O Seville! Ah Castile! Spanish-Hebrew dirges from the 15th century Wout van Bekkum
12. On translating medieval Hebrew poetry Adena Tanenbaum
Part IV. The World Outside: 13. Medieval Hebrew polemical literature William Horbury
14. Biblical commentaries and Christian influence: the case of Gersonides Colette Sirat
15. Jewish scholarship and Christian tradition in late-medieval Catalonia: Profiat Duran on the art of memory Irene E. Zwiep
Bibliography of the writings of Raphael Loewe
Index.

Subject Areas: Judaism [HRJ]