Schools and Education.

Abstract

Given the relative paucity of sources, and the need to utilize the sources that are available as effectively as possible, this treatment of medieval Jewish education will be organized by region. Although there are occasionally significant differences between the various time periods within the Middle Ages thatmust be noted, discussion of the educational theories and practices in individual regions over time, and use of the available sources from different periods in tandem with each other, often yields a more complete picture. We will begin with Spain and move northward. Southern France (Provence and Languedoc), which was geographically and culturally proximate to Spain, often adhered to Spanish educational conventions. At the same time, its methods of talmudic study often pointed northward to Ashkenaz (northern France and Germany), where we will conclude our survey.Comparisons between south and north will further allow us to clarify the points of uniqueness in the approaches of each area. (from Introduction)