Happy to share that I’ve published my first article in the 2019 Journal of the National Association of Professors of Hebrew. Titled “Teaching Otiot Meshunot from Scribal Biblical Hebrew Texts”, it explores the value of teaching Torah from handwritten texts rather than printed ones, using my favorite Hebrew letter (the doubled Peh) as an example.
Link to My Article: https://www.dropbox.com/s/uh4c73q8vsp86ck/HHE%2021%20-%20Thompson%20-%20Article.pdf?dl=0&fbclid=IwAR2sUR7VMbr58umHLpULlozlDQ69eDEnqO29-8QdgyF9M9CrhMZed50yDYs
Link to view NAPH Journal 2019: https://naphhebrew.org/hebrew-higher-education-21-2019?fbclid=IwAR1mPzBSClFZsu-TGMil0BaEHKTzCX6Bbjk0W3zXGmnLarASD6V66946SFM
Article Abstract
Modern students of Biblical Hebrew are seldom exposed to scribal texts of the Torah. Until the advent of print, the Torah was studied and transmitted for thousands of years using scribal texts. Through exposure to these texts, students can view Otiot Meshunot (distinct letters) that add a layer of deeper meaning to the Hebrew Bible. These letters inspire several methods of interpretation and their exploration can build critical skills in the study of the Hebrew Bible. One cannot fully understand the biblical text without understanding the symbols and symbolism of these distinct letters.