Writing in Mourning: The Aberzush Lament in MS Vienna, ÖNB Cod. hebr. 16 and its Masoretic Hypotext

Abstract

Corpus Masoreticum Working Papers 19

The so-called ‘Aberzush Bible‘ (Vienna, ÖNB Cod. hebr. 16 [hereafter: ÖNB.16]) is notable for its colophon, a poignant elegy for the demise of his family, who were victims of the Rintfleisch pogroms in 1298. It was inscribed by the masorete Aberzush beneath Psalms 19–108 (fols. 248v–268r). The text is known for its unconventional formatting, in which the letters are crafted from Masoretic material. The Masorah conveyed in this text, comprising 101 words, aligns with the masora parva notes of the main biblical text, which suggests a deliberate choice. This paper addresses the Masoretic hypotext, its philological content, and its significance within the context of the lament. It also considers the rationale behind the scribe’s choice of this distinctive design.