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Mission

The goal of the XML Leningrad Codex markup project is to produce a fresh, from scratch "mirror image" of the Leningrad Codex of the Hebrew Bible, encoded at the character/glyph level in UNICODE, which will be suitable for use in "XML-aware" applications (word processors, database engines, web-applications). Such an encoded text can be used for an infinite variety of purposes and will allow for collaborative projects via the Internet to "pyramid" knowledge, encourage the "reuse" of basic data and analysis, extend the value of limited human and financial resources, and reduce duplication of effort.

Project "eL" has several innovative and unique aspects:

• it will be an Open Source project
• it will invite the participation of the general public
• it will endeavor to markup the entire manuscript
• it will produce a freely available UNICODE Hebrew font

By "open source" we mean that the resulting text, although copyrighted and with an institutional custodian, will be freely distributable for any purpose. Project "eL" is also a sociological experiment, testing an adaptation of a model for human collaboration in the production of knowledge which has been successful in the software development community (e.g., GNU/Linux) and natural sciences (e.g., SETI@home). We believe that "eL" will encourage the use and study of the Hebrew Bible across the world via the Internet, and that other disciplines will be able to profit from our experience.