Judaism and the interpretation of scripture : introduction to the rabbinic midrash / Jacob Neusner.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Neusner, Jacob, 1932-2016

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bible. Pentateuch.

Midrash--History and criticism.

Midrash.

Rabbinical literature--History and criticism.

Rabbinical literature.

Bible. Pentateuch--Criticism, interpretation, etc., Jewish.

Bible.

Physical Description:

x, 230 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Peabody, Mass. : Hendrickson Publishers, [2004]

Summary:

An indispensable tool for understanding how Jewish scholars in the first five hundred years of the Common Era commented upon the earlier Mishnah's interpretation of the Hebrew Scriptures. Neusner has tied this introduction to his translation and commentary in Rabbinic Midrash, offering ample illustrations from that work. Provides the beginner, as well as more seasoned readers, with detailed explanations of the hermeneutics of the rabbis.

Contents:

How does Judaism read scripture?

An overview of the rabbinic midrash-compilations

Genesis in Genesis Rabbah : recasting the patriarchs into the models for Israelite conduct

Exodus in Mekhilta attributed to R. Ishmael : reorganizing the facts of scripture into coherent expositions on important topics

Leviticus in Sifra : mediating between the two Torahs, oral and written

Leviticus in Leviticus Rabbah : turning scripture's laws into the design of holy Israel's social order

Numbers in Sifré to Numbers : systematically reading and expounding scripture's narratives in accord with the rabbinic model

Deuteronomy in Sifré to Deuteronomy : turning scripture's cases into laws, and laws into an entire social system

Esther in Esther Rabbah I : a woman saves Israel

Ruth in Ruth Rabbah : a gentile woman saves Israel through the Torah

Song of Songs in Song of Songs Rabbah : reading holy Israel's relationship to God within the symbols of a love-song

Lamentations in Lamentations Rabbah : updating scripture's response to the First Temple's destruction by showing how an event defines a pattern

The calendar of Judaism in Pesiqta deRab Kahana : telling time by Judaism's clock

The sages in the Fathers according to Rabbi Nathan

The theology of rabbinic midrash.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1565637062

OCLC:

56420230