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Elisabeth Hollender

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?

Read more

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?

What you'll learn

  • Acquire knowledge of medieval Asheknazi (originating in the German-speaking lands) and surrounding liturgical traditions
  • Understand the process of using a manuscript as a material object to understand the history of religious culture
  • Gain familiarity with a particular manuscript (CAJS Rare MS 382) and its unique features and problems

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Acquire knowledge of medieval asheknazi (originating in the german-speaking lands) and surrounding liturgical traditions
  • Understand the process of using a manuscript as a material object to understand the history of religious culture
  • Gain familiarity with a particular manuscript (cajs rare ms 382) and its unique features and problems

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
Read more
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

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Covers liturgical traditions and their influence on medieval religious culture
Emphasizes the materiality of manuscripts as cultural artifacts
Focuses on a particular manuscript, providing in-depth analysis and insights
Suitable for individuals with an interest in medieval liturgical practices
Appropriate for learners with a background in Jewish studies or religious history

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in In the Margins of a Medieval Jewish Prayer Book: What Can Physical Manuscripts Tell Us about History? with these activities:
Seek guidance from experts in the field of Jewish liturgy
Accelerate your learning by connecting with experts in the field and seeking their guidance on Jewish liturgical practices.
Browse courses on Mentorship
Show steps
  • Identify experts in the field.
  • Reach out to them via email or social media.
  • Request mentorship or guidance.
Review 'Asheknazi Jews and the Origins of Christianity: The Scrolls from Qumran'
Build a foundational understanding of Asheknazi Jewish liturgical traditions and their connection to early Christianity by reviewing this scholarly work.
Show steps
  • Read the book's introduction and first chapter.
  • Take notes on the key concepts and arguments presented.
  • Identify the main themes and how they relate to the course material.
Analyze primary source manuscripts related to Jewish liturgical practices
Develop your skills in analyzing primary source manuscripts and deepen your understanding of Jewish liturgical practices by examining historical documents firsthand.
Browse courses on Paleography
Show steps
  • Visit a museum or library with a collection of Jewish manuscripts.
  • Examine manuscripts and identify different features such as script, layout, and annotations.
  • Take notes and document your observations.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a visual timeline of Jewish prayer book development
Solidify your understanding of the evolution of Jewish prayer books and their use through the creation of a visual timeline.
Show steps
  • Research different types of Jewish prayer books and their historical contexts.
  • Identify key milestones and events in the development of prayer books.
  • Create a visual timeline using a tool like Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel.
Compile a digital library of resources on medieval Jewish liturgical practices
Support your learning and research by compiling a digital library of resources specifically tailored to medieval Jewish liturgical practices.
Show steps
  • Search for and gather relevant resources online.
  • Organize the resources into a digital library using a tool like Google Drive or Dropbox.
  • Create a system for categorizing and tagging the resources.
Participate as a mentor in a Jewish liturgical studies forum or group
Enhance your understanding of Jewish liturgical practices while giving back to the community by mentoring others.
Browse courses on Mentorship
Show steps
  • Join a Jewish liturgical studies forum or group.
  • Offer your mentorship to other members.
  • Answer questions, provide guidance, and share your knowledge.
Develop a research project on a specific aspect of medieval Jewish liturgical practices
Deepen your understanding of medieval Jewish liturgical practices by conducting a research project on a specific aspect that interests you.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific topic to research.
  • Develop a research question and methodology.
  • Gather and analyze relevant sources.
  • Write a research paper or create a presentation on your findings.

Career center

Learners who complete In the Margins of a Medieval Jewish Prayer Book: What Can Physical Manuscripts Tell Us about History? will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Museum Conservator
Museum Conservators preserve and restore artifacts, including ancient manuscripts. Studying how physical changes to manuscripts can present problems and opportunities for interpretation may provide insight and help an individual to succeed in this career, especially if they work with religious-related artifacts and historical manuscripts. It may also make research about the religious practices of the past more accessible.
Librarian
Librarians organize and maintain library collections, including rare manuscripts. This course can help individuals understand the process of using manuscripts to learn about the history of religious culture, which may be particularly useful for a Librarian who works in special collections or with historical artifacts.
Editor
Editors review, edit, and publish written content. This course may help individuals understand the process of using manuscripts as a material object to understand the history of religious culture. This could be particularly useful for an Editor who works with religious texts or historical documents.
Museum curator
Museum Curators plan and manage exhibitions for museums. This course can help individuals understand the process of using manuscripts as a material object to understand the history of religious culture. This knowledge may be particularly useful for a Museum Curator who works with religious artifacts or historical documents.
Historian
Historians research and write about the past. This course can help individuals understand how a manuscript as a physical object can be used to understand the history of Jewish religious culture. This knowledge may also help a Historian to better understand other manuscripts, even if they focus on a different time period or topic.
Archivist
Archivists preserve and organize historical documents. This course may help individuals understand the process of using manuscripts as a material object to understand the history of religious culture. This could be particularly useful for an Archivist who works with religious texts or historical documents.
Religious Studies Professor
Religious Studies Professors teach and research religion. This course can help individuals understand medieval Asheknazi and surrounding liturgical traditions, specifically through studying a particular manuscript. This knowledge may be particularly useful for a Religious Studies Professor who teaches or researches related topics.
Theology Professor
Theology Professors teach and research religious doctrine. This course can help individuals understand medieval Asheknazi and surrounding liturgical traditions, specifically through studying a particular manuscript. This knowledge may be particularly useful for a Theology Professor who teaches or researches related topics.
Theology Researcher
Theology Researchers conduct research on religious doctrine. This course can help individuals understand medieval Asheknazi and surrounding liturgical traditions, specifically through studying a particular manuscript. This knowledge may be particularly useful for a Theology Researcher who researches related topics.
Archaeologist
Archaeologists study past peoples and cultures by excavating and examining material remains like manuscripts. This course may help individuals understand the process of using manuscripts as a material object to understand the history of religious culture. This knowledge may be particularly useful for an Archaeologist who works with religious sites or artifacts.
Anthropologist
Anthropologists study the behavior, origin, and development of humans. This course can help individuals understand medieval Asheknazi and surrounding liturgical traditions. This could be useful for an Anthropologist who researches religion or culture, especially if they focus on the Middle Ages or Jewish history.
Religious Studies Researcher
Religious Studies Researchers conduct research on religious topics. This course can help individuals understand medieval Asheknazi and surrounding liturgical traditions, specifically through studying a particular manuscript. This knowledge may be particularly useful for a Religious Studies Researcher who studies related topics.
Paleographer
Paleographers study ancient and medieval handwriting. This course can help individuals understand the process of using manuscripts as a material object to understand the history of religious culture. This knowledge may be particularly useful for a Paleographer who works with religious texts or historical documents.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. Though this course may not directly prepare someone for a career as a Software Engineer, it can help an individual develop problem-solving skills and learn how to work with complex systems. These are both valuable skills for a Software Engineer.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists use data to solve problems and make predictions. Though this course may not directly prepare someone for a career as a Data Scientist, it can help an individual understand how to identify and solve problems and how to process and interpret data. These are all skills that are valuable for a Data Scientist.

Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in In the Margins of a Medieval Jewish Prayer Book: What Can Physical Manuscripts Tell Us about History?.
Classic study of the Jewish prayer book. It provides a detailed analysis of the structure, content, and history of the prayer book, and valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the Jewish liturgy.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the Jews in Bavaria. It valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about the history of Judaism in Germany.
Provides a detailed history of the Jews in Germany. It valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about the history of Judaism in Europe.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the Jews in Germany. It valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about the history of Judaism in Europe.
Comprehensive handbook of Jewish studies, covering a wide range of topics from history and religion to literature and culture. It valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about Judaism.
Multi-volume history of Judaism, covering the period from ancient times to the present day. It valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about the history of Judaism.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the Jews in the Middle Ages. It valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about the history of Judaism.
Provides a detailed history of the Ashkenazim, the Jewish community of Germany. It valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about the history of Judaism in Europe.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the Jews in Germany. It valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about the history of Judaism in Europe.
Offers a practical introduction to the art of Hebrew calligraphy. It provides step-by-step instructions and examples, enabling students to develop their own skills in writing and understanding Hebrew scripts.
Examines the role of prayer in medieval society, offering insights into the practices and beliefs surrounding prayer in the period covered by the course.

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