Language and textuality in Byzantine Karaism

Více o knize

This book explores the medieval Byzantine Karaite contribution to Jewish creativity and culture, particularly in Hebrew grammar and biblical philology. Byzantine Karaism significantly differs from its earlier counterpart, having adapted to a new environment by redefining itself in relation to both the Jewish rabbinic majority and the Greek Christian society. Researchers of Karaite Judaism face the complex challenge of understanding its development under Christian influence, a task that remains largely unaddressed. The study centers on three notable Karaite scholars linked to Constantinople from the late 11th century to the early 14th century. It delves into the linguistic issues present in their writings, tracing their roots in early Karaite tradition and comparing them with contemporary rabbinic ideas. Through clarification and analysis of these topics and terminology, the work provides insights into the depth of Hebrew scholarship and the distinctive perspective within the Constantinopolitan Karaite community. This examination also contributes to a broader understanding of the evolution of Hebrew linguistic thought over time.