Why Medieval Hebrew Studies? : Inaugural Lecture Delivered at the University of Cambridge, 11 November 1999 Book

The Jewish Middle Ages were not, as was once supposed, full of 'doom, gloom and pedantry'. Medieval Hebrew manuscripts testify to stunning theology, super-rational exegesis, and interesting notions of language usage. There are unexpectedly 'modern' interpretations of the Hebrew Bible in Spain and France and exciting fragments from the Cairo Genizah, including a prayer to be recited by medieval pilgrims to Jerusalem. Among more prosaic Genizah items are a crusader note in Latin, a certificate about kosher cheeses, an appeal for financial assistance, and a doctor's faith in God over his own medicine. Stefan C. Reif shows that Medieval Hebrew culture is a vibrant and compelling field of study.