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Reading the Rabbis
Christian Hebraism in the Works of Herbert of Bosham
Series: - Commentaria, Volume: 5
Author:
In
Reading the Rabbis Eva De Visscher examines the Hebrew scholarship of Englishman Herbert of Bosham (c.1120-c.1194). Chiefly known as the loyal secretary and hagiographer of Archbishop Thomas Becket and enemy of Henry II, he appears here as an outstanding Hebraist whose linguistic proficiency and engagement with Rabbinic sources, including contemporary teachers, were unique for a northern-European Christian of his time.
Two commentaries on the Psalms by Herbert form the focus of scrutiny. In demonstrating influence from Jewish and Christian texts such as Rashi, Hebrew-French glossaries, Hebrew-Latin Psalters, and Victorine scholarship, De Visscher situates Herbert within the context of an increased interest in the revision of Jerome's Latin Bible and literal exegesis, and a heightened Christian awareness of Jewish 'other-ness'.
Two commentaries on the Psalms by Herbert form the focus of scrutiny. In demonstrating influence from Jewish and Christian texts such as Rashi, Hebrew-French glossaries, Hebrew-Latin Psalters, and Victorine scholarship, De Visscher situates Herbert within the context of an increased interest in the revision of Jerome's Latin Bible and literal exegesis, and a heightened Christian awareness of Jewish 'other-ness'.
Eva De Visscher, Ph.D. Leeds (2004), teaches at Aberystwyth University and the University of Oxford. She has published several articles on medieval Jewish-Christian encounters and Hebrew-Latin-vernacular manuscrips, including one in
Multilingualism in Medieval Britain, ed. Jefferson and Putter (Brepols, 2013).
Acknowledgments ...ix
List of Abbreviations...xi
Notes on Translations and Transliterations ...xiii
List of Illustrations ...xv
Introduction ...1
1.Herbert of Bosham’s Life and Works ...1
2.Christian Hebraisms ...6
3.The Hebraist Commentaries: The Magna Glosatura and the Psalterium Cum Commento ...19
I.How Much Hebrew did Herbert Know? ...23
1.Transliteration of Hebrew Words ...23
2.Knowledge of Hebrew Grammar ...30
3.Lexical Changes: The Problems of Literal Translation ...45
II.Hebrew Learning Tools ...55
1.Jerome ...55
2.Hebrew-Latin Psalters and the Eadwine Psalter ...62
3.Hebraico-French Glosses—Le‘azim ...67
4.Hebrew-Hebraico-French Glossaries and Proto-dictionaries 74
III.The Use of Rabbinic Sources ...79
1.Magister and Litterator ...80
2.Rashi ...81
2.Midrash Tehillim ...106
4.The Talmud/Gamaliel ...113
5.The Targums ...120
6.Menahem ben Saruq and Dunash ibn Labrat ...126
7.Oral Sources ...130
IV.Negotiating Christian and Jewish Authorities ...137
1.Paul’s Neutralising Influence ...138
2.Paul as Christianising Force ...144
3.Paul versus the Litteratores ...151
4.Herbert on the Fence? ...154
V.The Practice of Literal Exegesis ...161
1.Hebraist, Exegete and Polemicist ...161
2.Littera and Peshat ...177
3.Caro and Spiritus ...185
Epilogue ...193
Appendix 1.Lists of Hebrew and French Words ...199
Appendix 2.Plates of London, St Paul s Cathedral Library, MS 2 ...203
Bibliography ...207
Index ...219
List of Abbreviations...xi
Notes on Translations and Transliterations ...xiii
List of Illustrations ...xv
Introduction ...1
1.Herbert of Bosham’s Life and Works ...1
2.Christian Hebraisms ...6
3.The Hebraist Commentaries: The Magna Glosatura and the Psalterium Cum Commento ...19
I.How Much Hebrew did Herbert Know? ...23
1.Transliteration of Hebrew Words ...23
2.Knowledge of Hebrew Grammar ...30
3.Lexical Changes: The Problems of Literal Translation ...45
II.Hebrew Learning Tools ...55
1.Jerome ...55
2.Hebrew-Latin Psalters and the Eadwine Psalter ...62
3.Hebraico-French Glosses—Le‘azim ...67
4.Hebrew-Hebraico-French Glossaries and Proto-dictionaries 74
III.The Use of Rabbinic Sources ...79
1.Magister and Litterator ...80
2.Rashi ...81
2.Midrash Tehillim ...106
4.The Talmud/Gamaliel ...113
5.The Targums ...120
6.Menahem ben Saruq and Dunash ibn Labrat ...126
7.Oral Sources ...130
IV.Negotiating Christian and Jewish Authorities ...137
1.Paul’s Neutralising Influence ...138
2.Paul as Christianising Force ...144
3.Paul versus the Litteratores ...151
4.Herbert on the Fence? ...154
V.The Practice of Literal Exegesis ...161
1.Hebraist, Exegete and Polemicist ...161
2.Littera and Peshat ...177
3.Caro and Spiritus ...185
Epilogue ...193
Appendix 1.Lists of Hebrew and French Words ...199
Appendix 2.Plates of London, St Paul s Cathedral Library, MS 2 ...203
Bibliography ...207
Index ...219
All studying medieval Jewish-Christian relations, Hebrew scholarship, and medieval biblical exegesis in northern Europe; anyone concerned with multi-lingualism, medieval manuscripts, and cultures of learning and teaching in medieval England.