BAER, SELIGMAN (SEKEL): Writer on the Masorah, and editor of the
Hebrew Bible; born at Mosbach (Baden), Sept. 18, 1825; died at
Biebrich-on-the-Rhine, March, 1897. As early as 1844, Baer
commenced his Masoretic studies. He belonged to the school of
Wolf Heidenheim, some of whose original manuscripts were in his
possession. Few scholars in the nineteenth century had so
intimate an acquaintance with all the details of the Masorah as
had Baer; and it was largely due to him that the study of this
branch of Hebrew philology was brought to the notice of Biblical
critics. His friendship with Franz Delitzsch, who stood sponsor
for much of his work, aided him in making known to the world the
results of his studies. He never occupied an academic position,
but was contented with the office of Hebrew teacher to the
Jewish community of Biebrich. In recognition of his services to
the Commission for the History of the Jews in Germany, the
honorary degree of doctor of philosophy was conferred upon him
by the University of Le