A Codicological and Paleographical Analysis of the Sabbateni Hebrew Binding Fragments — Bavli Temurah Chapter 1

Edna Engel

The three volumes of the Sabbateni collection were bound with six pieces of parchment detached from a medieval Hebrew manuscript. Analysis of the codicological and palaeographical characteristics of the fragments enabled me to visualize a model of the manuscript from which these fragments were detached, hereby contributing to determination of the dating and provenance of the manuscript (in the following — Manuscript). Nevertheless, because this analysis was based on the study of digital images provided by Lawrence Schiffman and Matthew Goldstone, and as any study of codicological features must rely on examination of the original material, my conclusions cannot be regarded as final.

A Proposed Model of the Original Manuscript’s Layout

For the purpose of creating covers, the binders of the three Sabbateni volumes dismantled the Hebrew manuscript and chose three bifolia, each from a cen- tral opening of a quire, either on its recto or on its verso side.1 From each bifo- lium, three strips were cut laterally, two of which were folded into the binding of each volume, half covering it vertically, front and back (Figure 7). The cut for the borders of a fragment was made on the strip several centimeters beyond the central fold (Figures 8 and 9). The way of cutting the strips and the distinction between al- lowed me to find the original placements of the ’s parts, in each of the six covers, and visualize the layout of a of the original manuscript: For cover- ing the front board of the Cantus volume the binders used the middle part of a bifolium and a lower part for the rear (Figure 10). For covering the rear board of

* The report contains the results and conclusions of my research. It does not include all the detailed arguments on which these results are based. 1 Distinguishing between the recto side of a sheet and its verso was possible after finding the method of pricking used in the Manuscript.

© koninklijke brill nv, leiden, 2018 | doi 10.1163/9789004367135_005 A Codicological and Paleographical Analysis 41 the Septimus volume the binders used the upper part of a bifolium and a lower part for the front (Figure 11). For covering the front board of the Tenor volume the binders used an upper part, and for the rear board a middle part (Figure 12). The manuscript from which the fragments were detached was written in calligraphic square letters. The homogeneity of the writing, its rhythm and harmony, as well as the precise scribal graphic devices, evidence that it was penned by a professional scribe. By counting the lines of each fragment and virtual measurements of their margins — recto and verso — it seems likely that the layout of the page was as follows (Figure 13-the recto side, Figure 14-the verso side): There are two col- umns in a page, about 32 lines, inner margins are about 40 mm; upper margins about 35–38 mm; lower margins: 38–43 mm; and the letters are written within the ruling lines.2

Codicological and Scribal Graphic Features

In the parchment from which these strips were cut there is no distinction between the hair-side and the flesh-side. The hair follicles are not visible and there are abundant traces of scratching (Figure 15). Traces of the ruling lines are also obvious in the photos (Figure 16), revealing the technique of ruling vertical and horizontal lines, either by hard or by lead pencil. Pricking is clearly visible in the inner margins of the fragments (Figure 16).

Scribal Graphic Features (Figure 17)

– Preventing empty space at the end of the line on the left side of the page by using graphic fillers — truncated letter shapes (shin) – Using the first letter of the next line.

2 The fragments of the Cantus volume: Front board 001–15 written lines; Front board 002–15 written lines; Rear board 003–7 written lines, one blank line; Rear board 004 — The recto side of a lower fragment of a bifolium–7 written lines. The fragments of the Septimus volume: Front board 005–7 written lines; Front board 006–7 written lines; Rear board 007–10 writ- ten lines; Rear board 008–10 written lines. The fragments of the Tenor volume: Front board 009–11 written lines; Front board 010–11 written lines; Rear board 011–15 written lines; Rear board 012–15 written lines.