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Moses the Punctuator

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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(ר משה הגקרן ), or the Cantor (חזן ), a Jewish exegetist, lived in London about the middle of the 13th century, and is noted as the author of the well-known Treatise embodying the rules about the points of the Hebrew Scriptures, called דרכי הניקוד והנגינות, or כללי הניקוד, also in the MSS. הוריית הקורא . Excerpts of this treatise, made by Jacob ben- Chayim, were first printed with the Massora in the Rabbinic Bible (Venice, 1524-25), and since in all the editions of the Rabbinic Bible. The treatise has also been published separately with a short commentary by Zebi ben- Menachem (Wilna, 1822), and with corrections and German notes by Frensdorff (Hanover, 1847). Those who recognise the real importance of the Hebrew vowel-points and accents will find in this unpretentious treatise a useful guide. R. Moses was thoroughly acquainted with and quotes the grammatical and exegetical writings of his predecessors, as Chayug, Rashi, Ibn-Ganach, Ibn-Ezra, Parchon, etc. See Steinschneider, Bibliographisches Handbuch, page 95; Zunz, Zur Geschichte und Literatur, page 111; Ginsburg, in Kitto, Bibl. Cyclop. s.v.