Midrashic Literature Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

This study examines all the midrashim of Sifre on Numbers with the purpose of identifying all those that are based on a linguistic issue. The objective of the study is to give a maximally comprehensive overview of the exegetical methods used in addressing such issues in Sifre on Numbers, in hopes of laying down the groundwork for a future description encompassing all Rabbinic texts. The advantage of this study lies in its systematicity: it offers a description, as comprehensive as I could make it, of all the relevant exegetical methods, both common and rare.
The midrashim were classified into five categories: orthographic, phonological, morphological, syntactic and semantic, as reflected in the study's five chapters. Each category is divided into sub-categories as necessary. Every chapter deals at length with a small number of midrashim which reflect the principles that guided the Sages in addressing the relevant domain. In addition, a comprehensive appendix presents all the midrashim belonging to each category.
The study's five chapters review many exegetical methods pertaining to orthography, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics, and beyond the numerous details, which are important in themselves, four main conclusions emerge. These conclusions are stated directly only with respect to the midrashim of Sifre on Numbers, since only these were subjected to a systematic analysis in the study; however, I believe these conclusions may also apply to other midrashim, in particular Tannaitic ones, or at least offer some directions towards an broader examination of midrashic literature.
The conclusions are as follows:
A. The majority of linguistically-based midrashim in Sifre on Numbers pertain to morphology, syntax and semantics, and only a few to orthography and phonology. These findings are in line with the accepted view that in Tannaic midrashim, especially those dealing with halachic issues, exegetical methods tend to be less bold and more conservative.
B. Linguistically-based Rabbinic midrashim are not random, but follow clear and organized rules, well-defined exegetical methods that can be accurately identified and described, as demonstrated throughout the study.
C. The methods used by the Sages in their exegesis were based on a solid linguistic awareness, which they employed in interpreting the Bible.
D. The Sages employ a very broad range of means in their midrashim. In some cases, the breadth of the spectrum leads to a duality that is evident in at least three domains:
1. Rabbinic Hebrew versus Biblical Hebrew: Many midrashim reflect an awareness of the difference between Biblical and Rabbinic Hebrew. Conversely, other midrashim interpret the Biblical text based on Rabbinic Hebrew.
2. Minimalist versus maximalist approach: Many midrashim reflect a minimalist approach that gives words the narrowest possible interpretation, whereas other midrashim attribute to words the broadest possible meaning.
3. Scribal traditions versus reading traditions: The exegetes sometimes focus on the written text, understanding it not according to the accepted reading tradition but based on an examination of its letters and signs. In other cases, however, they completely ignore the orthography and rely exclusively on the accepted pronunciation.