Class Central is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

University of Pennsylvania

In the Margins of a Medieval Jewish Prayer Book: What Can Physical Manuscripts Tell Us about History?

University of Pennsylvania via edX

Overview

Save Big on Coursera Plus. 7,000+ courses at $160 off. Limited Time Only!

The course asks the following questions (and more):

  • How can we locate a particular manuscript within a larger liturgical tradition?

  • What sorts of information can be gained about a community by looking at a manuscript as a physical object?

  • What do manuscripts tell us about the experience of medieval Jewish liturgical practice?

  • What physical changes to manuscripts present problems and opportunities for interpretation?

Syllabus

1. An Introduction to Jewish Prayer Books

2. What Page Layout Can Teach Us about How the Book Was Used

3. Jewish Geography and the Different Prayer Rites

4. Times Were Changing—How about the Manuscript? Reading the Notes Jotted in the Margins

5. Fire and Theft! Interpreting the Scars on the Physical Manuscript

Taught by

Elisabeth Hollender

Reviews

Start your review of In the Margins of a Medieval Jewish Prayer Book: What Can Physical Manuscripts Tell Us about History?

Never Stop Learning.

Get personalized course recommendations, track subjects and courses with reminders, and more.

Someone learning on their laptop while sitting on the floor.