Jason Aronson, Inc.
Pages: 246
978-1-56821-357-6 • Paperback • October 1994 • $48.00 • (£32.95)
978-1-4616-3158-3 • eBook • October 1994 • $45.50 • (£31.95)
About the Author:
Dr. Jacob Neusner is Graduate Research Professor of Religious Studies at the University of South Florida and is the Martin Buber Professor of Judiac Studies at the University of Frankfort. The author and editor of 300 books, Dr. Neusner holds ten honorary degrees and has lectures throughout the world. He has recently been named Visiting Fellow at Clare Hall, Cambridge University, England.
Table of Contents
Preface ix
Prologue 1
PART 1
The Second and Third-Century Compilations
The Tannaite Midrashim
1. Exodus and Mekhilta Attributed to R. Ishmael 31
2. Leviticus and Sifra 56
3. Numbers and Sifré to Numbers 76
4. Deuteronomy and Sifré to Deuteronomy 107
PART II
The Fourth and Fifth-Century Compilations
The Earlier Rabbah Midrashim
5. Genesis and Genesis Rabbah 141
PART III
The Sixth and Seventh-Century Compilations
The Later Rabbah Midrashim
6. Ruth and Ruth Rabbah 173
7. Song of Songs and Song of Songs Rabbah 197
Bibliography of Midrash Studies by Jacob Neusner 221
Index 231
“Jacob Neusner has provided us with a book of unusual value. It informs the reader about the background of the major Midrash compilations through the seventh century. Neusner teaches us what a Midrash-compilation is, tells us something about how it came about, and most importantly teaches us how to read a Midrash text intelligently and perceptively. It is this latter work that makes the book particularly valuable. Neusner has gone to great effort to show us the structure and logic of midrashic thinking. He illustrates with selected texts, thus giving the reader the most essential introduction to world of midrashic thought. This book has no parallel and deserves to be in the library of every person interested in understanding one of the classic forms of ancient Jewish literature.” –Dr. Marvin Fox
— Rabbi Irving Greenberg
“Jacob Neusner is a scholar of world-class stature who has wrought a revolution in our understanding of our chosen field, rabbinic literature. The Midrash is an outstanding example of his vision as an educator for all Jews. Anyone who read this book will learn how the Midrash operated in its analysis of texts, in its answers to theological questions, and in its response to the historical crises facing the Jewish people. Unlike earlier Midrash handbooks, which typically are topical and bring together quotes from all types of midrashim as from some timeless realm, this compilation gives the flavor of the individual books of the Midrash. The selections come with excellent background material and notes that explain the method and issues of each book. As a result, the reader becomes familiar with distinctive voice and values of each Midrash collection. The reader also develops a sense of method and competence in reading these rabbinic texts and gains an understanding of the historical development of Midrash.
“Most collections leave the average reader baffled and wondering why he or she cannot grasp the meaning of the rabbinic corpus. This book might be called ‘Midrash without Mystification’ because if makes the text clear for all.” – Rabbi Irving Greenberg
— Rabbi Irving Greenberg, president of CLAL, the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership