Why Medieval Hebrew Studies?

The Jewish Middle Ages were not, as was once supposed, full of 'doom, gloom and pedantry'. Medieval Hebrew manuscripts testify to stunning theology, super-rational exegesis, and interesting notions of language usage. There are unexpectedly 'modern' interpretations of the Hebrew Bible in Spain and France and exciting fragments from the Cairo Genizah, including a prayer to be recited by medieval pilgrims to Jerusalem. Among more prosaic Genizah items are a crusader note in Latin, a certificate about kosher cheeses, an appeal for financial assistance, and a doctor's faith in God over his own medicine. Stefan C. Reif shows that Medieval Hebrew culture is a vibrant and compelling field of study.