The Quest to Learn Hebrew: From Robert Wakefield (d. 1537/8) to Johann Buxtorf the Elder (1564-1629)

Workshop with our BGSH-Fellow Prof. Dr. Joanna Weinberg (Oxford)

In this workshop, we will examine how and why Christians were propelled to study Hebrew in early modern Europe. Though understandable that Christians wishing to follow the invocation “ad fontes” undertook the task of engaging with the Old Testament in its original language, it is not self-evident why they also would study rabbinic texts and medieval and post-medieval Jewish literature. We will study this phenomenon through the works of one of the first English “professors of Hebrew” Robert Wakefield, and those of, arguably, the most distinguished Hebraist of the early modern period, Johann Buxtorf of Basel. In the course of our scrutiny of their works we will necessarily have to consider how their study of Hebrew affected or was affected by their notion of Jews and Judaism. I will provide specimen texts in Latin, German and English translation on which to base our discussions.

Anmeldung

Die Anmeldung zur Teilnahme erfolgt bis zum 10.10.2021 über diesen Link. Doktorierende, die 1 KP erwerben möchten, müssen sich zusätzlich über MOnAanmelden.

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