Early Interpreters of Hebrew Bible The Hebrew Bible itself (e.g. Deuteronomy) Book of Jubilees (Israel, early 2nd c. BC) Philo of Alexandria (c. 20 BC-50 AD) Joseph bar Matthias (Rome, 37-100 AD)

Classical Rabbinic Period (1st-11th c. AD) After 70 AD, rabbis become primary religious authorities in community Major works of period: Topical works: Mishnah, Talmud “With-Text” Commentaries: Midrash

Mishnah Compilation of records of oral discussions of various laws mishnah = “oral instruction” Believed to have been compiled into final form by R. Judah ha-Nasi (“the Patriarch”) c. 200 AD

Talmud Talmud Yerushalmi (Jerusalem Talmud, 370 AD) Talmud Bavli (Babylonian Talmud, 6th c. AD) Containing Mishnah and Gemara (“learning”)

Midrash Commentaries arranged around text. Best-known is Midrash Rabbah (“Great Commentary,” covering Torah and Five Scrolls)

halakhah - legal commentary aggadah - non-legal commentary: theology, lore, legends, sayings, prayer and praise This text: rules related to Passover and other sacrifices. Largely theoretical

Some terminology Boraitha/Baraita: Section of rabbinic material resembling Mishnah, but not part of it, containing ruling or interpretation. Dates from c. 70-200 AD (Tannaitic period) Tana’im/Tanna’im: First generation of Jewish scholars of Hebrew Bible, active from c. 70-200 AD Hallel: Set of praise psalms (Psalms 113-118) recited on major Jewish festivals