Endnote 3 – The Aleppo Codex

Writing in France during the 11th century, Solomon ben Isaac (“Rashi”) says in his commentary to this passage in the Talmud that the reader “moves his hand according to the melody. I have seen among readers who come from the land of Israel.” For illustration of the modern Italian style, as well as convincing arguments that the “melody” is actually a chant, see Avigdor Herzog, “Masoretic Accents,” Encyclopaedia Judaica (Jerusalem: Keter, 1971), vol. 11, cols. 1098–1111.