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A dating system for Hebrew manuscripts using codicological data

 Fill in the codicological information in your possession for the codicological unit.

*In order to perform dating, data in at least 6 categories is required. The accuracy of the prediction depends on the amount of data.

How to Identify

Look for letters containing other letters inside them or embracing each other.

Search for familiar Bible texts, chapters, verses, and typical layout/design.

Identify content as part of the Bible, including specific verses, chapters, and references to books.

Look for theoretical discussions or texts on numerology, Kabbalistic aphorisms, or philosophical principles.

Identify halachic principles or interpretations of biblical stories in the text.

Identify texts containing blessings, prayers, and texts associated with specific religious holidays and events.

Examine pages under different lighting and look for a particularly shiny area that reflects light.

Examine text for techniques like reducing letters or moving words to the next line.

Page will appear uniform and without any hidden marks.

Check paper for lines as external lines or thin perforations.

Check text direction and page texture; hair side is slightly more exposed and rougher.

Use strong light or magnifying equipment to detect grooves or fine lines embedded in the page.

Parchment is thicker, rougher; paper is thinner, may have textures/watermarks.

Examine page texture; flesh side is smoother and flatter than the hair side.

Lines are visible in color or as perforations.

Thicker, stronger than paper, with different textures and colors.

Check page texture against light; individual fasteners appear as thin, non-regular lines.

Check page against light; bars in groups of three will be clear and discernible.

Examine pages for appearance of two separate layers, with visible splitting or separation.

Identify ink color; brown is lighter, black is sharper.

Compare ink shade to other familiar ink colors.

Look for deep black ink, bold and prominent on the page.

Check page headers for recurring titles and contrast centers for symbols.

Check page bottoms for slanted text or symbols.

Look for key symbols, page tags, chapter/section headings.

Look for markers or tags at the bottom or sides of the page.

Hold page against strong light; watermarks appear as patterns or symbols.

Check page tops for markers or numbers.

Check page bottoms or edges for markers, tags, or inscriptions indicating folio number or location.

Examine text alignment and look for spacing or compression techniques within lines.

Check for graphic symbols filling empty space at the end of lines in the text.

Examine word beginnings for signs not part of the word.

Look at text lines and check if text fills the line evenly, without unnecessary spaces or excessive compression.

Examine text alignment and look for techniques like ruler use to create uniform lines.

Compare lines on the page; uniform alignment indicates ruler use.

Examine word beginnings for signs not part of the word.

Look for clear, incised lines appearing as if made with a sharp tool.

Identify symmetrical or identical engravings on two adjacent pages.

Check text layout and see if text is mainly on the right side of the open page.

Check page under strong light or by touch for prominent lines or grooves created by an engraving tool.

Examine handwriting and page clarity.

Look for boxes with decorations, different ink, or special fonts.

Look for small artworks or decorations around text or page edges.

Examine pages for the absence of any paintings, ornate frames, or other embellishments.

Look for notes or comments outside the main text frame in the bottom margin.

Look for ornate frames or large, different fonts at chapter/article beginnings.

Look for markers like catchwords at page bottoms, folio/page alignment, and systematic page/folio counting.

Examine manuscript measurements and design details.

Check the last line on each page for deviations.

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Explanation

Feature Name

Category

Manuscripts focused on texts from the Bible.
Text documented in the manuscript originating from the Bible.
Manuscripts including philosophical discussions or Kabbalistic texts.
Texts dedicated to Halacha (Jewish law) and Midrash, including religious discussions and interpretations of the Torah.
Manuscripts including daily prayers or cycles for holidays.
Text written in Arabic, based on script and language characteristics.
One letter written on or within another, for decoration or space-saving.
Text written on parchment (animal skin) or paper.
Pages treated to give them a shiny and glossy appearance.
Patterns created on paper during production, visible against strong light.
Absence of watermarks, visible when checking the page against strong light.
Paper with printed or perforated lines for writing alignment.
Bars made in a way that is not visible to the eye, likely due to the paper-making process.
Lines created on the page to assist text alignment.
Pages or parchments split into two layers during use or preservation processes.
Thin lines on paper from the production process, appearing scattered.
Bars created in the paper-making process, appearing in groups of three.
Writing material made from animal skin.
Manuscripts where the contrast starts from the hair side of the parchment (outer side of the skin).
Text appearing on the flesh side of the parchment sheet (inner side of the skin).
Text written in brown or black ink.
Text written in dark brown or brown ink.
Text written in black ink, a common and durable type.
Title at the top and symbol in the center for organization.
Slanted text or symbol at the bottom for easy page transitions.
Various methods for preserving the order of texts in the codex.
Symbol identifying the sequence of folios in the codex.
Author's management of space in the line, including adjusting letter size or leaving spaces to prevent deviation.
Numbers or symbols at the top for efficient navigation.
Symbols used to preserve the order of folios in the codex.
Methods for preserving the correct order of pages or folios in a codex.
Structure and format of the manuscript, including size, text arrangement, and lines/pages per contrast.
Bottom line not within the frame, extending beyond or misaligned.
Brackets used to stretch lines to the page width.
Engraving technique using a sharp tool to create lines on parchment/paper before writing.
Scribe engraving lines on two adjacent pages simultaneously for consistent and precise patterns.
Text primarily or exclusively on the right side of the page when the manuscript is open.
Technique using a sharp tool to engrave lines or decorations on the sheet before writing.
Each folio (page) opening recto, like a large book page.
Graphic elements emphasizing new chapters or sections.
Graphic elements like drawings, flowers, frames enhancing text clarity.
Manuscripts without any graphic or artistic decorations.
Annotations, comments, or requests recorded in the bottom margin.
Decorations or graphic frames emphasizing chapter/section beginnings.
Spacing and compressing letters to maintain line alignment and consistency.
Techniques like lines, dots, or commas used to fill empty space at the end of a line.
Next word starting with a special sign (period, comma).
Author's management of spacing between words to prevent deviation or visual discontinuity.
Methods for aligning lines and preventing deviation from margins.
Arrangement of lines, aligned or deviating from margins.

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ABOUT US

Hello, the system is under construction. 
In the future, information about the data will be added and the user experience will be improved
API access will also be provided for external connection of systems.

The system was trained using data from the Sparda website and the research of Prof. Malachi Beit-Arie and Prof. Colt Sirat.

The site was built  By Alexander Golberg as part of a master's thesis in information sciences, Bar Ilan.

Guided by: Dr. Gila Priber and Dr. Avshalom Elmaleh

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