Midrashim: technique, corpus and exegetical work (TH211)

Course Objective

The corpus of midrashim is extremely popular in Christian circles. However, midrashic technique and forms are often misunderstood. The goal is to understand the differences between halakhic and aggadic midrashim, exegetical and homiletical midrashim, midrashim and targumim. For Christian scholars or biblicists, the aim is to gain a better understanding of the techniques used and the authority of these texts so that they can be used correctly and wisely in Christian exegesis.

Table of Contents

General Introduction, "DaRaSH"

1. A genre in question

2. The aim of this course

3. The "DaRaSH" root

4. The polysemy of midrash

Part I. The midrash before the midrash

Introduction

1. Intra-biblical exegesis

2. Intertestamental literature

3. The Gospel as "midrash"?

Part II. The halakhic midrash

1. Halakhah & aggadah: two basic concepts

2. The halakhic midrash

3. Mekhilta of Rabbi Yishmael and Mekhilta of Rabbi Shimon bac Yochai (Exodus)

4. Sifra

Part III. The Aggadic Midrash

1. Aggadic Midrash: Genesis Rabbah

2. Leviticus Rabbah

3. Aggadic midrashim in the Talmud

4. Midrashic passages in the Talmud

5. Late midrash: Tanhuma and others

Conclusion

Bibliography