From Manuscript to Screen: Aims and Methods of Presenting Masoretic Paratexts in the Age of Digital Humanities
International Conference at the Heidelberg University of Jewish Studies
Jan 12 - 15, 2025
The initial modern scholarly editions of the biblical Masorah in various Bible manuscripts and the first editions of Okhla we-Okhla marked a significant shift in perspective in the study of the Tiberian, Sephardi, and most recently, Ashkenazi Masorah. Previous research frequently presented its findings as diplomatic editions. However, in practice, mise-en-page and mise-en-text were typically not taken into account, and in some instances, an ideal Masorah was (re-)constructed from scratch. Subsequently, not only has there been an expansion of the philological basis, but methodological questions have also become a focal point of current research. The so-called material turn has prompted scholars to view Biblical manuscripts as artefacts, not merely as codicological and paleographical objects, but also as subjects of praxeological inquiry. This necessitates an investigation of the masorete’s objective, his working environment, and other issues arising from the nature of the manuscript.
This is where the recently developed computational methods can be deployed. The question thus arises as to the nature of the material to be edited and the purpose for which it is to be edited. To what extent do new and digital editing methods provide new insights into the material and its history of origin? In regard to the Masoretic paratexts, which are displayed either linearly or as masora figurata, the question arises as to whether only masoretic texts in the strict sense should be transcribed and edited, and if so, how the results should be published. It is therefore pertinent to consider whether a digital edition of the Masorah should facilitate a change of perspective, namely, text presentation from the perspective of the scribe/masorete, the (first) reader/client, and contemporary readers. Furthermore, it is essential to determine whether a digital edition should encompass praxeological results (object vs. textual edition). Finally, it is crucial to ascertain how masoretic editions can and should contribute to the reconstruction of (forgotten) Jewish knowledge cultures and the history of Jewish education.
Sunday, January 12
Arrival
6:00 pm
Reception
Monday, January 13
9:00–11:00 am
Introduction
Hanna Liss
Oriental Bible Manuscripts I
Chair: Sebastian Seemann
The History and Nature of St. Petersburg II B 1150+: An 11th-Century Oriental Masoretic Bible Codex of the Latter Prophets
Vince Beiler
The Scribes of Manuscript B of the Torah (London, Or. 4445)
Nehemia Gordon
11:00–11:30 am
Coffee break
11:30 am–1:00 pm
Oriental Bible Manuscripts II
Chair: Elvira Martín Contreras
The Manuscript ex-Sassoon 1053 – its Dating and History
Judith Olszowy-Schlanger
Creativity, Personal Style and Errors of a Masorete: Towards the Publication of the Masora Magna of Codex Sassoon 1053
Yosef Ofer
1:00–2:00 pm
Lunch break at the Mensa of the Heidelberg University of Jewish Studies
2:00–3:30 pm
Manuscript Studies I
Chair: Hanna Liss
The Making of the Ambrosian Bible and the Beginning of the Masoretic Bibles in Germany
Sarit Shalev-Eyni
Decoding the Animal Symbolism in the Micrography of Bible MS. Paris, BnF héb. 8-9-10
Sara Offenberg
3:30–4:00 pm
Coffee Break
4:00–5:30 pm
Manuscript Studies II
Chair: Sarit Shalev-Eyni
Between France and Ashkenaz: Localizing Masoretic Manuscripts
Ilona Steimann
The Layout of the Masoretic Bible or the Tiberian Layout
Javier del Barco
7:00 pm
Dinner at the Mensa of the Heidelberg University of Jewish Studies
Tuesday, January 14
9:00–11:00 am
Masoretic List Material Inside and Outside of Bible Manuscripts
Chair: Yosef Ofer
Ashkenazi Masorah Magna Based on the Manuscript Basel Ms. A. III. 1
Melissa Anwar Uthman
The Second Part of Okhla Halle (סדרא אחרינא): Its Structure and Relation to the First Part of Okhla Halle and Other Masoretic List Collections
Sebastian Seemann
11:00–11:30 am
Coffee Break
11:30 am–1:45 pm
Methodological Approaches to Masoretic Studies
Chair: Clemens Liedtke
Masora Revisited: Addressing Old Issues from New Perspectives
Elvira Martín Contreras
Who Says A Must Not Say B: What Masoretic Notes Do Not Comment Upon
Viktor Golinets
Edition, Transcription, and the Question of Readership in Masoretic Editions
Hanna Liss
1:45–3:00 pm
Lunch break at the Mensa of the Heidelberg University of Jewish Studies
3:00–4:30 pm
Philology and Digital Humanities
Chair: Ilona Steimann
Current Approaches to the Computational Analysis of Hebrew Manuscript I Data
Bronson Brown-deVost
Everything that Counts: On Masoretic Studies Moving from Print to Computational Age
Clemens Liedtke
4:30–5:00 pm
Coffee break
5:00 pm
Round Table/Conclusion
Wednesday, January 15
Departure