The Midrashic Process: Tradition and Interpretation in Rabbinic Judaism

ISBN-13: 9780521461740 / Angielski / Twarda / 1995 / 234 str.

Irving Jacobs

Opis

Midrash is the oldest known form of Bible interpretation. It was the means by which the early teachers of Judaism made the Bible intelligible to their congregants in the ancient synagogues of the Holy Land, and relevant to their daily lives. To the modern reader, however, their approach to the Bible appears to be haphazard, without any regard for its plain meaning as we understand it today. How then did the rabbis understand the Bible, and what did they perceive it to be? These, as well as other questions, are answered in the book.

Recenzje

"In sum, when read for its learning and provocative thesis, Jacob's book opens and reopens topics of research in several areas of midrashic studies." Michael Fishbane, The Journal of Religion

Spis treści

Preface; 1. What is Midrash?; 2. Traditional motifs in early rabbinic exegesis I: Job and the Generation of the Flood; 3. Traditional motifs in early rabbinic exegesis II: Job and Israel's early history as a nation; 4. Popular legends and traditions I: the archetypal sage; 5. Popular legends and traditions II: the archetypal priest-king; 6. Popular legends and traditions III: the regenerating tree; 7. The midrashic background for James 2: 21-23; 8. Elements of Near-Eastern mythology in Rabbinic Aggadah; 9. Conclusions; Appendixes; Bibliography; Index.