HebrewâOld French Biblical Glossaries as Testimonies of the Jewish Educational Tradition in Medieval Northern France

Sandra Hajek

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ChapterÂ 8 HebrewâOld French Biblical Glossaries as Testimonies of the Jewish Educational Tradition in Medieval Northern France

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Sandra Hajek

Sandra Hajek
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 160â185

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004730823_009

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Abstract

HebrewâOld French biblical glossaries are not only one of the most extensive sources for the study of JudeoâFrench and French historical linguistics, but also offer great insight into the culture of the Jews in medieval northern France (Tsarfat). The technique of explaining difficult words in the Bible by providing glosses in the vernacularâOld Frenchâwas essentially pioneered by Rashi, but the selection of Hebrew words in the glossaries differs both qualitatively and quantitatively from that of the biblical commentaries produced by Rashi and his followers. In the present chapter, linguistic evidence will be presented to support the argument that the Old French glosses in the glossaries originated from an educational context, namely, teaching the Bible by orally translating it into the vernacular (Â§â¯2). This educational tradition is related to a parallel one in Jewish religious practice, consisting of translating biblical and homiletic texts into the vernacular to ensure that Jews unacquainted with Hebrew could understand and practise their religion. A typical example of this custom is represented in the homiletic fragments preserved in the Benedictine Abbey of Engelberg (Port. 27, frag. 6 and 7), which are presented in Â§â¯3 of this chapter.

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Bridges of Knowledge

Jewish Languages in Cultural Context

Series:Â Studies in Jewish History and Culture, Volume: 83

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004730823

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 10 Sep 2025

Subjects
- Jewish Studies
  - Literature & Linguistics

Front Matter

PartÂ 1 Translations and Adaptations of Traditional Jewish Sources

PartÂ 2 Religious, Cultural, and Social Uses of Jewish Languages

PartÂ 3 Jewish Vernaculars in Contact

PartÂ 4 Near and Far in Jewish Travelogues

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ChapterÂ 8 HebrewâOld French Biblical Glossaries as Testimonies of the Jewish Educational Tradition in Medieval Northern France

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Bridges of Knowledge

Jewish Languages in Cultural Context

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ChapterÂ 8 HebrewâOld French Biblical Glossaries as Testimonies of the Jewish Educational Tradition in Medieval Northern France