Kulmus Publishing

04/22/2026

Just presented in Rome (well virtually at a conference taking place in Rome - sadly). Unlocked the story of the Vatican Ebraici 1 (Vat. ebr 1) Torah scroll, and its true age and special features. At ‘The Bible in Middle Eastern Manuscript Traditions’. Article in preparation (jointly with Prof. Gary Rendsburg, Joe Gindi and Yehudah Kornecki).

03/08/2026

Sadly, the Shabbat that just passed records the worst sin of our nation’s religious history with the creation and worship of the Golden Calf. This was noted by the author of Sefer Tagin who made it one of only two special letters ק qof. Want to know more about the qof devuqa in לְשִׁמְצָ֖ה בְּקָמֵיהֶֽם (‘for derision amongst their enemies (Ex.33:25)) and its complete opposite in Num. 7:2. My latest published article ‘spills the beans’ as to why. Download the open access PDF here: https://www.fdr.uni-hamburg.de/record/18365/files/comst-bulletin-11-2025-243-264.pdf?download=1

02/26/2026

My latest article. on the rare scribal tradition of the qof devuqa. In the latest COMSt Bulletin. My second article for them.
https://www.fdr.uni-hamburg.de/record/18365

01/11/2026

And once again, the social media/mobile phone debate for children is back in the news, with the Government considering banning it for under 16s. Nothing new. Read the E-Fuzzy for free. https://www.sofer.co.uk/the-e-fuzzy
A modern morality tale for children and the young at heart, my authorised sequel to the original Warm Fuzzy Tale.

12/22/2025

My latest article for the Cambridge Genizah Unit has been published today. December’s Fragment of the Month. Well two fragments really, since they are related. Mezuzot - but very different.
https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/departments/taylor-schechter-genizah-research-unit/fragment-month/fotm-2025/fragment-9?

12/02/2025

Chanukah is coming. So, if you want to buy some lovely books from Kulmus Publishing for yourself, or as Chanukah gifts, now is the time

Kulmus Publishing specialises in producing works of Jewish interest. Particularly concerning Sofrut (Scribal Arts) and Torah but also stories and art with a Jewish theme.

11/21/2025

Chanukah is coming. Nothing says Chanukah for your geeky friends than buying them the book of the story that isn't quite as accurate as I Maccabees. Watch the video then head to lulu.com for the print and ebook versions. https://www.facebook.com/55615525855/videos/10153566240670856

10/10/2025

My latest article has just been published. Exploring the origins of the hu**ed het. Drawing on my PhD findings and new research, including a special medieval Torah at the MST and one I fixed recently for NEMS and many more. Open access PDF

Abstract In Torah scrolls for liturgical use, there is a scribal tradition to write the letter ח (ḥet) with a central hump in the form, rather than the flat roof that is seen in codices and printed texts. This article explores the development of this hu**ed ḥet from both halakhic and palaeograp...

08/27/2025

My latest article has been published in Manuscript and Text Cultures (Oxford - yes the ‘other side’. All about educational materials in the Cairo Genizah. Open Access.

An open access journal for scholars of manuscripts, epigraphy, and texts from various pre-modern cultures operated by the Centre for Manuscript and Text Cultures at The Queen's College, Oxford.

07/02/2025

My latest piece for the Cambridge Genizah Unit. https://www.facebook.com/100064538716059/posts/1137011091793504/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

June's Fragment of the Month is definitely not a Genizah fragment. Instead, it perfectly demonstrates why the Jewish concept of Genizah emerged, and why it was felt necessary to protect sacred texts from profanation. Thanks to Marc Michaels for this 'abject' lesson in safeguarding your holy articles:

https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/collections/departments/taylor-schechter-genizah-research-unit/fragment-month/fotm-2025/fragment-4

06/15/2025

If you were in shul this weekend or davenning at home then you would likely have seen the two inverted nuns (that’s the letter נ) enclosing Num. 10:35-36. But did you know what they were for, originally and subsequently. Curious? Find out in Sefer Binsoa. https://www.lulu.com/shop/marc-michaels/sefer-binsoa/paperback/product-23206312.html paperback or
https://www.lulu.com/shop/marc-michaels/sefer-binsoa/ebook/product-19qpmen4.html for the PDF version.

Aside from their familiar use in the service at the opening and closing of the Ark, two verses from the sedra B’ha’alot’cha are unique. For, in the majority of Torah scrolls Bamidbar l0:35-36 is encased between two critical marks, each taking the form of an inverted nun, as if they are in pare...