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Novellae ~ Rabbinic Literature ~ Subject Research Guide
Novellae (Hidushim)
Related to both Talmudic commentaries and Responsa literature, Novellae (or hidushim) were generally intensive discussions on various passages in the Rabbinic literature (including Talmud, Mishnah etc.) In contrast, commentaries usually contained smaller comments which ran from page to page to help clarify passages in the Rabbinic literature.

The novellae of the Aharonim differ from those of the Rishonim in that they include discussions of how to apply the laws in the Talmud to new ideas, issues, or circumstances.
Some early authors of novellae included Joseph Ibn Migash, Abraham b. David of Posquieres (RaBaD), and Meir b. Todros Abulafia, Solomon b. Abraham Adret, Yom Tov b. Abraham Ishbili, Nissim b. Reuben Gerondi, Nahmanides, and Joseph ibn Habiba.

Finding Novellae (Hidushim) on the shelf
Look in BM 504.2

Finding Novellae (Hidushim) online
Bar Ilan Responsa Project
Includes the Hebrew texts of the Tanakh, Talmuds, early commentaries, and many responsa http://www.responsa.co.il/
More options are available to HUC students and faculty by accessing the Responsa Project through the Jewish Studies Portal

Seforim Online
Many older rabbinic works are available in PDF form on this site.
http://www.seforimonline.org

While the Library thinks that these sites are useful, their content is not under our control and may express views that are not shared by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

If you have any further questions about finding information on this, or any other topic, ask your local HUC-JIR librarian or email us using the form on the campus library homepage.