Mikraot Gedolot "Haketer" Vol. 4 Isaiah (review)

Hebrew Studies 40 (1999) 314 Reviews ology, history, and faith, one wishes more attention and discussion had been given this topic. Similarly, one would like to see more discussion and infonnation regarding the history of the text. Nelson assumes a familiarity among his readers not only with the tenninology and concept of the Deuteronomistic Historian, but also with the current state of that discussion. While such an assumption may be valid for his professional audience, I doubt such assumptions will hold among his larger readership. A brief introductory section given to this discussion would greatly enhance the value of the later commentary section for many readers. Finally, for the price of the book, a number of typographical errors occur . However, these minor annoyances are more than offset by the value of the content. Nelson's work should prove a valuable addition to discussion of the book of Joshua. Rick R. Marrs Pepperdine University Malibu, CA 90263 rma"s@pepperdine.edu MIKRAOT GEDOLOT "HAKETER" VOL. 4 ISAIAH. By Menahem Cohen. pp. " + 406. Ramat Gan: Bar-Han University Press, 1996. Cloth. This is the fourth of a planned complete new edition of the Mikraot Gedolot, edited by Menahem Cohen. This edition is distinguished from most previous editions of the Mikraot Gedolot in three main ways: the biblical text used, when available, is the Aleppo Codex; the medievals are cited according to "the best ancient manuscripts"; and the layout and typography is particularly clear, with punctuation marks added to the medievals, so they would be easier to read. This particular volume, on Isaiah, does not contain any significant introductory material; those who are interested in the general principles of the edition must consult the Joshua-Judges volume , printed in 1996, which contains not only a clear articulation and defense of the edition, but a useful history of the Mikraot Gedolot. The Kings volume, printed in 1995, contains a highly technical discussion of the use of the gaya. This volume. like the others in this series, is a pleasure to use. The Aleppo text is carefully and clearly reproduced, along with that manuscript's Masorah Parva and Masorah Magna. An explanation of the Hebrew Studies 40 (1999) 315 Reviews typically laconic masoretic notes, called ""00" 1'», has been added by the editors; these are extremely useful, especially for those not acquainted with the intricacies of the Masorah. The Targum of this edition uses a slightly modified vocalization system, fitting its Yemenite origin. The following seven commentators are considered ~£l commentators, and are included in the volume: Rashi, Radaq, R. Abraham ibn Ezra, R. Joseph Qara, R. Eliezer of Beaugency, R. Isaiah from Trani, and R. Joseph Kaspi. This inclusiveness is especially welcome for the Isaiah, which is the most difficult of the prophetic books; ibn Ezra's commentary on Isaiah is not included in the typical Mikraot Gedolot to Isaiah, and was previously available only in the 1873 edition of Michael Friedlander (and its reprints), and the important commentaries of Qara and Beaugency were not widely available. Thus. a careful study of this volume will offer a broader perspective of what the "peshat school" meant, and how it tried to resolve the various problems of the book. It is difficult to evaluate how accurately the commentaries of the medievals have been reproduced, since this project has completed new editions of each commentary, which will eventually be available via computer. It was good, however, to notice that this edition does not try to harmonize; when the manuscripts support biblical textual readings that differ from Aleppo, the difference is retained. Thus, this edition even offers us an opportunity to see how textual divergence continued, to some small extent, through the middle ages. In sum, one might debate the importance of this project for the Torah, where much of Aleppo is missing, and the semi-critical Torat Hayyim edition , published by Mossad ha-Rav Kook, is available, and reasonably priced. But for books like Isaiah, where the standard Mikraot Gedolot editions are difficult to read, very corrupt, and quite incomplete, this new edition is of particular importance. Marc Brettler Brandeis University Waltham, MA 02254 brelller@brandeis.edu ISAIAH 1-39 WITH AN INTRODUCTION TO PROPHETIC LITERATURE. By...