Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Yigal Levin <leviny1 AT mail.biu.ac.il>]

-----Original Message-----
From: Garth Grenache

There is value in reading the text without vowel points and considering
other possible interpretations where the pointing is ambiguous.  Jewish
synagogue scrolls are typically unpointed.

Also reading other pointings(e.g. Babylonian), and hearing the Samaritan
reading would also be of value, as would reading ancient Greek and Latin
transliterations.




Just be aware, Garth, that while synagogue Torah scrolls are unpointed, this
does NOT give the reader freedom to consider alternative readings. In all
Jewish communities, the reader is expected to prepare his reading using the
masoretic pointing and any deviation is very likely to be corrected by the
congregation, who follow along with printed texts that do have the masoretic
points.

Yigal Levin