 His edition of Rashi's commentary to the Pentateuch (1866) first made him known as a scholar; he added to his reputation by various historical works, the result of his studies in the archives and libraries of Italy, which country he frequently visited, subventioned by the German government.Berliner edited for two years (1874–75) the scientific periodical "Magazin für Jüdische Geschichte und Literatur", which from 1876 to 1893 he, together with his colleague, David Hoffmann, continued under the title "Magazin für die Wissenschaft des Judenthums".It was due to his zeal that the society Meḳiẓe Nirdamim, for the publication of works of the older Jewish literature, which had been discontinued for several years, was revived in 1885 with Berliner as its director.