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    The Laws of Existence
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    Cambridge University Library · 15 readings

    The Damascus Document, Cairo Genizah copies

    Fifteen places where our transcription of the two Genizah copies of the Damascus Document (CD-A, T-S 10K6; CD-B, T-S 16.311) differs from Qimron's 2020 edition or where the 2000-pixel image leaves a letter open. Each item shows the disputed region enlarged, both readings, and one question.

    Details reproduced from Cambridge University Library under CC BY-NC 3.0.

    T-S 10K6, CUDL image 5, line 4: detail of the disputed reading
    T-S 10K6 · CUDL image 5 · line 4

    Is the mark above the second word a cancellation stroke, or a blemish?

    readableopen
    T-S 10K6, CUDL image 7, line 21: detail of the disputed reading
    T-S 10K6 · CUDL image 7 · line 21

    Is the horizontal stroke through the letter-group a deletion by the scribe?

    readableopen
    T-S 10K6, CUDL image 8, line 17: detail of the disputed reading
    T-S 10K6 · CUDL image 8 · line 17

    Fourth letter: ד (squared head, foot at the right) or ר (rounded shoulder)?

    readableopen
    T-S 10K6, CUDL image 14, line 20: detail of the disputed reading
    T-S 10K6 · CUDL image 14 · line 20

    Do the traces after בו read והוא יודע?

    illegible at this resolutionopen
    T-S 10K6, CUDL image 15, line 1: detail of the disputed reading
    T-S 10K6 · CUDL image 15 · line 1

    Third letter of the last word: א or נ?

    uncertainopen
    T-S 10K6, CUDL image 15, line 11: detail of the disputed reading
    T-S 10K6 · CUDL image 15 · line 11

    Is there a ו between ד and ר?

    uncertainopen
    T-S 16.311, CUDL image 1, line 2: detail of the disputed reading
    T-S 16.311 · CUDL image 1 · line 2

    A stroke stands above the word between א and ה: a supralinear ו, or a stray mark?

    readableopen
    T-S 16.311, CUDL image 1, line 2: detail of the disputed reading
    T-S 16.311 · CUDL image 1 · line 2

    The last sign of מצותי: a final ו, or the scribe's colon-shaped section mark?

    readableopen
    T-S 16.311, CUDL image 1, line 12: detail of the disputed reading
    T-S 16.311 · CUDL image 1 · line 12

    Is there a י between ת and ו in the last word, and are the smeared letters before להתות a cancelled והתוי?

    readableopen
    T-S 16.311, CUDL image 1, line 29: detail of the disputed reading
    T-S 16.311 · CUDL image 1 · line 29

    The blot before משפט: a ה, or ink without a letter?

    readableopen
    T-S 16.311, CUDL image 1, line 32–33: detail of the disputed reading
    T-S 16.311 · CUDL image 1 · line 32–33

    Where does line 32 end: are the four traces after אל letters, and does ויעזבם begin line 33?

    uncertainopen
    T-S 16.311, CUDL image 1, line 35: detail of the disputed reading
    T-S 16.311 · CUDL image 1 · line 35

    Are there cancelled letters (יור) before מורה, so that the scribe corrected יורה to מורה, or is יורה the reading?

    uncertainopen
    T-S 16.311, CUDL image 2, line 1: detail of the disputed reading
    T-S 16.311 · CUDL image 2 · line 1

    Is there a cancelled מיום at the head of the line before מורה?

    uncertainopen
    T-S 16.311, CUDL image 2, line 15: detail of the disputed reading
    T-S 16.311 · CUDL image 2 · line 15

    Is the first letter of the word before ארבעים a כ?

    uncertainopen
    T-S 16.311, CUDL image 2, line 32: detail of the disputed reading
    T-S 16.311 · CUDL image 2 · line 32

    After the colon at the left end: ישיבו (ש, ב) or יעזבו (ע, ז)?

    uncertainopen

    “There is great reason that the King himself shall take account of it, and no other.”

    — Sir Edward Coke, Floyd v. Barker (Star Chamber, 1607), 12 Co. Rep. 23, 77 Eng. Rep. 1307