In its broadest sense, midrash is interpretation of any text ; in its strictest sense, it designates rabbinic biblical interpretation, the modes of exegesis, as well as specific corpora of rabbinic literature from Antiquity to the early medieval period.
Why is the Mishnah important?
Compiled around 200 by Judah the Prince, the Mishnah, meaning ‘repetition’, is the earliest authoritative body of Jewish oral law . It records the views of rabbinic sages known as the Tannaim (from the Aramaic ‘tena’, meaning to teach).
Why is Midrash important?
Midrash was initially a philological method of interpreting the literal meaning of biblical texts . In time it developed into a sophisticated interpretive system that reconciled apparent biblical contradictions, established the scriptural basis of new laws, and enriched biblical content with new meaning.
What are the two types of midrash?
There are basically two kinds of midrash, Midrash Halakhah (legal midrash10) and Midrash Aggadah (narrative midrash) 11. However, since aggadah is very difficult to define, it is customary to say that any midrash that is not halakhic (legal) is aggadic.
What is a Midrash in Judaism?
Midrash, Hebrew Midhrāsh (“exposition, investigation”) plural Midrashim, a mode of biblical interpretation prominent in the Talmudic literature. The term is also used to refer to a separate body of commentaries on Scripture that use this interpretative mode.
What is an example of midrash?
An example of a midrashic interpretation: “ And God saw all that He had made, and found it very good.
What is the difference between Midrash and Mishnah?
Only Mishnah is—like other ancient Near Eastern law—apodictic, recognizing no need for justification. But Midrash existed before Mishnah and its law served as grounding for the non-justificatory Mishnaic texts.
Is Talmud and Torah the same?
While the Torah is more about wars and kings, the Talmud is domestic .
What is the difference between the Mishnah and the Gemara?
The Mishnah is the original written version of the oral law and the Gemara is the record of the rabbinic discussions following this writing down. It includes their differences of view. The Talmud can also be known by the name Shas.
What is the definition of Gemara?
: a commentary on the Mishnah forming the second part of the Talmud .
What is Midrash Aggadah?
Introduction. Midrash (Hebrew: מדרש) is ancient rabbinic interpretation of scripture . Aggadah (Hebrew: אגדה) is rabbinic narrative. The two terms are, however, often used interchangeably to refer to those many aspects of rabbinic literature that are not related to Jewish behavior or law (Hebrew: הלכה).
Is Midrash a book?
The Classic Midrash is a series of Biblical commentaries written by the Sages – Rabbinical scholars after the fall of the second temple in 70 CE.
Who wrote the Torah and Talmud?
The Talmud holds that the Torah was written by Moses , with the exception of the last eight verses of Deuteronomy, describing his death and burial, being written by Joshua.
Who wrote Psalm 91?
Though no author is mentioned in the Hebrew text of this psalm, Jewish tradition ascribes it to Moses, with David compiling it in his Book of Psalms. The Septuagint translation attributes it to David. The psalm is a regular part of Jewish, Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican and other Protestant liturgies.
What is the meaning of Akedah?
Akedah, (Hebrew: “Binding” ) referring to the binding of Isaac as related in Genesis 22. Abraham bound his son Isaac on an altar at Moriah, as he had been instructed by God. ... Christianity found in the binding of Isaac an archetype for the sacrifice of Jesus (Tertullian, Adversus Marcionem 3:18).
Who wrote the 13 principles of faith?
Maimonides –also known as Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, or Rambam– compiled and composed the thirteen principles of Jewish faith. He is often compared in greatness to Moses and towers above his peers among medieval Jewish thinkers and leaders.
