I'm preparing a mini-course for adults at WebYeshiva called Textual Skills in Rabbinic Literature, which will include a variety of information about translating and negotiating rabbinic texts. Examples include:
* The word "ba'i" (בעי) can often mean "want," "ask," or "need."
* Some of the superscripted letters in the Gemara refer to the Torah Ohr in the margin, which identifies where this Gemara is cited in the Rambam and Shulchan Arukh. Such a letter often indicates that the halakhah follows this opinion.
* The Torah Temimah often tries to explain how Chazal derived a particular halakhah from the verse they quote.
Can anyone recommend anything I can add that the students might find useful?
Thanks in advance.
Uri Cohen
uri-yo at bezeqint.net