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IN THIS ISSUE

This double issue oiPe'amim cites the 5 0 0 t h anniversary of t h e expulsion of
t h e J e w s from Spain, a critical t u r n i n g point in J e w i s h history. It centers on
the history of Jews and conversos in the Iberian Peninsula; the forthcoming
issues will concern the Sephardi Diaspora after the expulsion (48), the
literary creation of Sephardi Jewry before and after the expulsion (49) and
an evaluation of the historical significance of this crucial event (50).

The Hidden Context: On Literary Products of Tri-Cultural Contacts in the
Middle Ages
Dr. Rina Drori presents t w o examples of literary w o r k s by Spanish J e w r y ,
which at first glance appear to reflect the Muslim milieu, but when
examined more closely indicate reference to the problematics of J e w i s h life
in Christian Spain as well: Moshe Ibn Ezra's treatise on poetry and Yehuda
Elharizi's Tahkemoni.

Dr. Drori teaches Hebrew language and literature at Tel Aviv University.

The Dépendance of Shlomo Ibn Gabirol on the Musical Theory of His
Time
Dr. Sarah Katz presents support for her hypothesis that Ibn Gabirol w a s
aware of contemporary musical theory and that even though he gave it no
explicit theoretical expression, he implemented it in his poetry. She tests
her theory by analysis of one wine song and a comparison with the poetry of
Shmuel ha-Nagid and the musical theory of ,the Faithful Brothers'.

Dr. Katz teaches medieval Hebrew poetry at Bar I Ian University.

The Leningrad Treasures and the Study of the Poetry and Life of Yehuda
Halevi
Professor Yosef Yahatom presents n e w i n f o r m a t i o n regarding both t h e life
and the writing of Yehuda Halevi gleaned from manuscripts in the State
Public Library of Leningrad. This information sheds light on the poet's
relations w i t h Moshe Ibn Ezra, his travels w i t h i n the Iberian Peninsula
d u r i n g the Reconquista and his emigration to Egypt and attempt to reach
Eretz Israel.

Professor Yahalom teaches medieval Hebrew poetry at the Hebrew
University of Jerusalem.

Rabbenu Asher and His Son R. Ya'akov Ba'al ha-Turim — Between
Ashkenaz and Sepharad
Professor Israel Ta-Shma tries to account for t h e dearth of responsa f r o m

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