Every time I happen to glance over in the direction of Rabeinu Hanan'el on a daf of Gemara, it seems he is wearing an odd flat-shaped hat. What's with that — is it a fashion statement of some kind?
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2 Answers
We know that Rabbenu Hananel was Italian, for Rabbenu Avraham ibn Daud writes that his father Rav Hushiel was one of four captives taken after leaving Bari. That being the case, given styles from the period, it seems likely that he wore a chaperon.
He therefore most likely looked like this:
As a tribute to this memorable hat, some editions of the Talmud add such a hat to Rabbenu Hannanel. Some editions even add them to others, so they don't feel left out.
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1Yes I know that Shechter disproved the 4 captive story...Its Purim "Torah".– mevaqeshCommented Mar 8, 2017 at 1:31
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Yes, now that you mentioned others getting the hat, I looked and saw Rabenu Gershom has one too, and there are probably more... my "joke" is deteriorating by the minute. But thank you for the art.– paqudaCommented Mar 8, 2017 at 1:40
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It is a Davar Yadua that many Talmidei Chachamim wear strange looking hats in the winter. It is likely that at least some parts of the first printing of the Vilna Shas was completed in the winter, so as a "lo pelug", the printers left Rabbeinu Chananel's (and others') hat(s) on!
answered Feb 18, 2018 at 2:31
