Hanoch Albeck (Hebrew: חנוך אלבק; August 7, 1890 - January 9, 1972) was a professor of Talmud at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He was a foremost scholar of the Mishna and one of the pioneers of the scientific approach to Mishna study.
Albeck, a religiously observant Jew, published a number of books in Hebrew and German on rabbinical literature, including "Introduction to the Mishna", "Studies in Baraita and Tosephta", "Introduction to the Talmuds", and others. In addition, he published numerous articles in the journal Tarbiẕ. Albeck also wrote a simple and concise commentary on the Mishna, appending longer footnotes at the ends of each volume. Pinchas Kehati sometimes quotes this work in his own commentary on the Mishna. While the vocalization (niqqud), vocalized by Hanoch Yelon, received special attention in Albeck's edition, the text did not, and therefore Albeck's Mishna is not a fully scientific version of the latter. Albeck's version was written, both stylistically and in its use of the Vilna text, as a continuation and expansion of the uncompleted earlier work of Hayyim Nahman Bialik.[2] Albeck's commentary to the Mishna received wide acclaim, however, Albeck's overall approach to the commentary was criticized by Ephraim Urbach. [3] The authorship of the commentary to Seder Nezikin was the subject of controversy, as Dr. Mordecai Margalioth claimed he was the author of the commentary and Albeck served as the editor.[4] Following a lawsuit, a compromise was reached in which a notice was put in the newer editions of the commentary acknowledging Margulies' contribution.[5]
In 1957 it was announced that Albeck was to receive the Israel Prize; however, as a matter of principle Albeck refused to accept the award.[citation needed]
