Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Karl Randolph" <kwrandolph AT email.com>]

Charles:

I personally prefer to read an unpointed 
text, partially because I have been reading 
it in a font derived from the Gezar 
calendar. But for over 20 years, I read 
almost daily from a pointed text and 
learned from it. With this as my 
background, how can I discourage others 
from using a pointed text?

The only caution I say about using a 
pointed text is that the points are not 
canon and are sometimes wrong. But for the 
99%+ of the time I agree with the points, 
I’m glad they were there to teach me.

Karl W. Randolph.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Charles David Isbell" <cisbell AT cox.net>
Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2004 22:15:20 -0600
To: "Karl Randolph" <kwrandolph AT email.com>,"Hebrew" 
<b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Psa 107:19-21 (was WAYYIQTOL)

> Karl notes: "I don't think disagreeing with the Masoretes equals beating up
> on them."
> 
> Neither do I, as I indicated in my earlier note. But your claim has been
> that you never read a pointed text, if I have read you correctly. And I take
> that to mean that you have no reason to believe anything good can be found
> there. If I misjudged, I apologize. But reading the points and reading the
> versions more often than not is a help rather than a hindrance to me. I read
> [actually chant] publicly an unpointed Torah portion every week at the small
> synagogue where I serve as Rabbi. I always prep myself [as per rabbinic
> custom], using a pointed MT, and I always read publicly the MT pointing.
> When I think it appropriate, I discuss with the congregation the
> difficulties I see and try to suggest alternative possibilities. So while I
> am certainly not unfamiliar with an unpointed text, I have to say that I
> find the Massoretes quite plausible far more often than not. And when I add
> the places where they themselves noted difficulties, I have to grade them
> A+. My only question for you was why you are so adamant about never using a
> pointed text.
> 
> I need say no more. BST WSHS T 'LL.
> Charles
> 

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