Israeli Scholar Completes ‘Definitive’ Version of the Bible

The Times of Israel ^ | 8/8/12 | Aron Heller

[marshmallow]

In correcting some 1,500 inaccuracies, Prof. Menachem Cohen, 84, has carried out the first major textual overhaul in 500 years

RAMAT GAN, Israel (AP) — For the past 30 years, Israeli Judaic scholar Menachem Cohen has been on a mission of biblical proportions: Correcting all known textual errors in Jewish scripture to produce a truly definitive edition of the Old Testament.

His edits, focusing primarily on grammatical blemishes and an intricate set of biblical symbols, mark the first major overhaul of the Hebrew Bible in nearly 500 years.

Poring over thousands of medieval manuscripts, the 84-year-old professor identified 1,500 inaccuracies in the Hebrew language texts that have been corrected in his completed 21-volume set. The final chapter is set to be published next year.

The massive project highlights how Judaism venerates each tiny biblical calligraphic notation as a way of ensuring that communities around the world use precisely the same version of the holy book.

Cohen does not call for changes in the writing of the sacred Torah scrolls used in Jewish rites. Instead, he is aiming for accuracy in versions used for study by the Hebrew-reading masses

According to Jewish law, a Torah scroll is considered void if even a single letter is incorrect or misplaced. Cohen does not call for changes in the writing of the sacred Torah scrolls used in Jewish rites, which would likely set off a firestorm of objection and criticism. Instead, he is aiming for accuracy in versions used for study by the Hebrew-reading masses.

For the people of the book, Cohen said, there was no higher calling.

“The people of Israel took upon themselves, at least in theory, one version of the Bible, down to its last letter,” Cohen said, in his office at Bar-Ilan University near Tel Aviv.

The last man to....

[Thane_Banquo]

Any plans for English translation?

[wideawake]

This is Cohen's edition of the Hebrew Scriptures based on his reconstruction of the Aleppo Codex, as opposed to the usual critical editions that are based on the Leningrad Codex.

It really is more of a scholar's opinion of how it should look than some irrefutable recreation of the autograph.

[wideawake]

Many of the discrepancies he claims to have corrected would be completely untranslatable - like alternate vowelizations of Hebrew words.

[JCBreckenridge]

Yep, and words that we’re not exactly sure what exactly they refer to.

[fso301]

Who will correct Cohen’s errors?

[circlecity]

I’ll stick with regenerate translators who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

[wideawake]

I’ll stick with regenerate translators who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

Would you adhere to the view that the King James Version is superior to the critical edition of the Hebrew text?

Also, how does one verify that the translators of the edition one reads are indeed regenerate and indwelt?

[circlecity]

"Also, how does one verify that the translators of the edition one reads are indeed regenerate and indwelt?"

Obviously, if they don't claim to be Christian they are eliminated right off the bat and you go to step 2. In this case we don't need to go to step 2. I prefer Christian translations of the LXX as my Hebrew text over the BHS.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Israel has preserved the Torah for over 3300 years. Any alteration is forbidden.

[vladimir998]

Forbidden, but not necessarily prevented, however.

[Tax-chick]

I’m sure this is very interesting, if one is a Hebrew scholar.

I have “The Five Books of Moses,” translated by Everett Fox. I really enjoy reading this version of Genesis and Exodus aloud, even more than the RSV, my lifelong friend.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Forbidden, but not necessarily prevented, however.

You miss my point. Of course mistakes creep in now and then, which is why there are gezerot. But the text of any kosher Torah Scroll already has the text as G-d dictated it. No "restoration" is necessary (except for higher critics).

[Alex Murphy]

For the past 30 years, Israeli Judaic scholar Menachem Cohen has been on a mission of biblical proportions: Correcting all known textual errors in Jewish scripture to produce a truly definitive edition of the Old Testament.

His edits, focusing primarily on grammatical blemishes and an intricate set of biblical symbols, mark the first major overhaul of the Hebrew Bible in nearly 500 years....

....According to Jewish law, a Torah scroll is considered void if even a single letter is incorrect or misplaced. Cohen does not call for changes in the writing of the sacred Torah scrolls used in Jewish rites, which would likely set off a firestorm of objection and criticism. Instead, he is aiming for accuracy in versions used for study by the Hebrew-reading masses.

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