are the midrashim helpful for christians

are the midrashim helpful for christians插图

The Midrashcan be applied in Christian studies, moreover if we want to understand the Word of Jesus, to know His cultural and historical context, get to know Him better.

What is the Midrash and why is it important?

What is the Midrash? A midrash is like a parable. It is a Jewish teaching tool that uses an explanation or story to give details or a modern application for an old teaching found in Jewish Scripture. Midrashim are not considered Scripture, although some are accepted as truth.

Are midrashim considered scripture?

Midrashim are not considered Scripture, although some are accepted as truth. According to the Bible, God gave the Jews the Tanakh — which Christians call the Old Testament.

What is rabbinic Midrash?

With my emphasis… Rabbinic midrash is an oral or written literature composed by the rabbis that has its starting point in a fixed, canonical biblical text. In midrash, this original text, considered the revealed word of God by the midrashist and his audience, is explicitly cited or clearly alluded to.

Is the New Testament A Midrash?

While some scholars agree with the limitation of the term “midrash” to rabbinic writings, others apply it also to certain Qumran writings, to parts of the New Testament, and of the Hebrew Bible (in particular the superscriptions of the Psalms, Deuteronomy, and Chronicles), and even modern compositions are called midrashim.

What is the meaning of the term "sensus plenior"?

The concept of sensus plenior(or the analogy of scripture) is relevant in this regard. According to sensus plenior, scripture is its own best interpreter, especially when spiritual light increases through additional revelation over time.

What is a biblical hermeneutics stack exchange?

Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. It only takes a minute to sign up.

What does the Drash do?

In a sense, the drashtakes the peshatand/or the remez, and draws out a law, an application, a teaching, an exposition, or a sermon from one or both levels of meaning. The Midrash, a compendium of folklore, historical anecdotes, moral exhortations, practical advice, and homiletic and non-legalistic texts from the rabbinic literature of Judaism, pre-dated the Mishnah by hundreds of years. The more important material in Midrashic interpretation was halakikhcontent in Collection #2, and the less significant, aggadicmaterial in Collection #1.

What does scripture interpret?

scripture interprets scripture; as when, for example, you are looking for the elements of an allegory, be aware of what other texts say about a given element

How many Q&A communities are there on Stack Exchange?

Stack Exchange network consists of 178 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers.

Why did God use the metaphor of the shepherd?

God, of course, was never literally a shepherd, and yet He chose the metaphor of the shepherd to communicate certain aspects of the relationship He had with the descendants of Israel. As in an analogy, there are points of comparison, or analogs, between the literal and the figurative meanings of a metaphor.

Can the Midrash be used in Christian studies?

The Midrash can be applied in Christian studies, moreover if we want to understand the Word of Jesus, to know His cultural and historical context, get to know Him better.

What is the Midrashim in the Torah?

There are two basic categories of Midrashim. A collection of Midrashim on a single topic or book is also called a Midrash. In Hebrew, halakhah refers to the law given in the Torah and the Mishnah.

How many volumes are in the Midrash Rabbah?

The Midrash Rabbah is actually ten volumes, one each on the Torah and the five Megillot (Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther). Each volume includes Midrash Aggadah gathered between the 5th and 8th Centuries. "Rabbah" means "great" and identifies each book as the largest collection of Midrash Aggadah on the given book …

What is the Midrash Halakhah?

Midrash Halakhah. In Hebrew, halakhah refers to the law given in the Torah and the Mishnah. It includes the religious, ceremonial, and civil regulations. The Midrash Halakhah, then, gives explanation to those laws. The Midrash Halakhah is divided into the Mehkilta on Exodus, the Sifra on Leviticus, and the Sifrei on Numbers and Deuteronomy.

What is the Tanakh in the Bible?

According to the Bible, God gave the Jews the Tanakh — which Christians call the Old Testament. The Tanakh is comprised of the Torah (the Pentateuch or the first five books of the Bible which give the law), the Nev’im (the prophets), and the Kethuvim (the writings).

What is a midrash?

It is a Jewish teaching tool that uses an explanation or story to give details or a modern application for an old teaching found in Jewish Scripture. Midrashim are not considered Scripture, although some are accepted as truth. According to the Bible, God gave the Jews the Tanakh — which Christians …

What are some Midrashim collections?

Other Midrash. Other Midrashim collections do exist, such as those on 1 and 2 Samuel, the Psalms, and Proverbs. Others are topical and cover a variety of subjects.

What does Timothy 3:16-17 say about the Midrash?

Second Timothy 3:16-17 says that all Scripture is inspired by God and suitable for instruction, and this certainly includes the Old Testament. But it doesn’t include the descriptions, speculation, and stories of the Midrash. Return to:

What is the Midrash reading?

Midrash and rabbinic readings “discern value in texts, words, and letters, as potential revelatory spaces, ” writes the Reverend and Hebrew scholar Wilda C. Gafney. “They reimagine dominant narratival readings while crafting new ones to stand alongside—not replace—former readings. Midrash also asks questions of the text; sometimes it provides answers, sometimes it leaves the reader to answer the questions.”

What is a Torah commentary?

The term is also used of a rabbinic work that interprets Scripture in that manner. Such works contain early interpretations and commentaries on the Written Torah and Oral Torah (spoken law and sermons), as well as non-legalistic rabbinic literature ( haggadah) and occasionally Jewish religious laws ( halakha ), which usually form a running commentary on specific passages in the Hebrew Scripture ( Tanakh ).

What is a midrash?

Porton in 1981: “a type of literature, oral or written, which stands in direct relationship to a fixed, canonical text, considered to be the authoritative and revealed word of God by the midrashist and his audience, and in which this canonical text is explicitly cited or clearly alluded to”.

What is the meaning of the Midrash?

Vanessa Lovelace defines midrash as “a Jewish mode of interpretation that not only engages the words of the text, behind the text, and beyond the text, but also focuses on each letter, and the words left unsaid by each line.”

Is Midrash a genre?

Midrash is now viewed more as method than genre, although the rabbinic midrashim do constitute a distinct literary genre.

When was Midrash Qohelet?

Midrash Qohelet, on Ecclesiastes (probably before middle of 9th century).

Who wrote the Midrash HaGadol?

Midrash HaGadol (in english: the great midrash) (in hebrew: ???? ?????) was written by Rabbi David Adani of Yemen (14th century).It is a compilation of aggadic midrashim on the Pentateuch taken from the two Talmuds and earlier Midrashim of Yemenite provenance.

What is the character of the Midrash?

Defining midrashic method is much more difficult than defining midrashic form. The character of midrash is determined by the fact that it is an activity related to Torah, and so to understand midrash it is essential to consider the nature and function of Torah in the Rabbinic scheme of things.

What was the main aim of Darshan?

So then, a major aim—perhaps one might say the major aim—of the darshan was to find ways of convincingly validating Tradition in terms of Scripture. (pp. 5-7)

What is the term for interpreting the Bible?

It can refer to a process of interpreting Scripture. According to this definition, any comment which is directly or indirectly related to the Bible is midrashic. (There are even those who claim the term for the general process of commenting on any text.)

Who avoided using the word "midrash"?

In this post I want to add to that collection with the article that led Michael Goulder to avoid using the word or even a form of it entirely: Alexander, Philip S. 1984. “Midrash and the Gospels.” In Synoptic Studies: The Ampleforth Conferences of 1982 and 1983, edited by Christopher M. Tuckett, 1–18. Sheffield, Eng.: JSOT Press.

Does scripture contradict itself?

Scripture never contradicted itself; one part of scripture could be interpreted in the light of any other part and harmonized with it;

Is the New Testament a midrash?

We find a similar question arising with the Encyclopedia of Midrash. In the second volume we find an article New Testament Narrative as Old Testament Midrash by R. M. Price. Price views the gospels as a special form of midrash, haggadic midrash:

Do we need to think carefully and clearly about the term and how we decide to use it?

We surely need to think carefully and clearly about the term and how we decide to use it . No doubt much will depend on our audience as well as any potential critics we might wish to disarm.

How many books of the Torah are there in the Midrash?

Collections of midrash on the five books of the Torah and the five Megillot compiled over eight centuries.

What is the Midrash?

Midrash is a form of literature that interprets and elaborates upon biblical texts, mostly compiled from the 5th century CE through the medieval period. Books in this category generally share common methods of interpretation, like filling in gaps in biblical stories. Sections of midrash appear frequently throughout the Talmud.

What is the second century chronicle?

Second-century chronicle detailing dates of biblical events from creation to Alexander the Great.

Where was the Midrash compiled?

Midrash on Genesis, Exodus, and a part of Leviticus, compiled in 12th-century Italy.

Who published Midrash Tanchuma?

Version of Midrash Tanchuma published by Solomon Buber in 1885 based on a manuscript he discovered.

Is Sefaria a non profit?

Sefaria is an open source, non-profit project. Support us by making a tax-deductible donation. Make a Donation

are the midrash helpful for christians

are the midrash helpful for christians插图

The Midrashcan be applied in Christian studies, moreover if we want to understand the Word of Jesus, to know His cultural and historical context, get to know Him better.

Why can’t the Christian church use midrash to interpret the scriptures?

The failure of the Christian Church to use Midrash as its primary method of interpreting the scriptures has lead to a number of serious problems arising within Christendom. The Greek Gnostic Hellenistic method of interpretation was being applied to a Jewish Midrashic text.

Are midrashim considered scripture?

Midrashim are not considered Scripture, although some are accepted as truth. According to the Bible, God gave the Jews the Tanakh — which Christians call the Old Testament.

How can I understand Midrash better?

To have a better grasp of Midrash you would need to have an appreciation of the Hebraic way of viewing scripture. In simple terms, we Western Hellenistic thinkers tend to think of things in straight lines and a somewhat one dimensional view.

Where did you first learn about Biblical Midrashic teaching?

I first learned of Biblical Midrashic teaching from Jacob Prasch of Moriel Ministries, Jacob uses Midrashic interpretation of scripture in many of his teachings, he also explains Midrash and the history of Biblical Midrash.

What is the meaning of the term "sensus plenior"?

The concept of sensus plenior(or the analogy of scripture) is relevant in this regard. According to sensus plenior, scripture is its own best interpreter, especially when spiritual light increases through additional revelation over time.

What is a biblical hermeneutics stack exchange?

Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. It only takes a minute to sign up.

What does the Drash do?

In a sense, the drashtakes the peshatand/or the remez, and draws out a law, an application, a teaching, an exposition, or a sermon from one or both levels of meaning. The Midrash, a compendium of folklore, historical anecdotes, moral exhortations, practical advice, and homiletic and non-legalistic texts from the rabbinic literature of Judaism, pre-dated the Mishnah by hundreds of years. The more important material in Midrashic interpretation was halakikhcontent in Collection #2, and the less significant, aggadicmaterial in Collection #1.

What does scripture interpret?

scripture interprets scripture; as when, for example, you are looking for the elements of an allegory, be aware of what other texts say about a given element

How many Q&A communities are there on Stack Exchange?

Stack Exchange network consists of 178 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers.

Why did God use the metaphor of the shepherd?

God, of course, was never literally a shepherd, and yet He chose the metaphor of the shepherd to communicate certain aspects of the relationship He had with the descendants of Israel. As in an analogy, there are points of comparison, or analogs, between the literal and the figurative meanings of a metaphor.

Can the Midrash be used in Christian studies?

The Midrash can be applied in Christian studies, moreover if we want to understand the Word of Jesus, to know His cultural and historical context, get to know Him better.

What is the Midrashim in the Torah?

There are two basic categories of Midrashim. A collection of Midrashim on a single topic or book is also called a Midrash. In Hebrew, halakhah refers to the law given in the Torah and the Mishnah.

How many volumes are in the Midrash Rabbah?

The Midrash Rabbah is actually ten volumes, one each on the Torah and the five Megillot (Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther). Each volume includes Midrash Aggadah gathered between the 5th and 8th Centuries. "Rabbah" means "great" and identifies each book as the largest collection of Midrash Aggadah on the given book …

What is the Midrash Halakhah?

Midrash Halakhah. In Hebrew, halakhah refers to the law given in the Torah and the Mishnah. It includes the religious, ceremonial, and civil regulations. The Midrash Halakhah, then, gives explanation to those laws. The Midrash Halakhah is divided into the Mehkilta on Exodus, the Sifra on Leviticus, and the Sifrei on Numbers and Deuteronomy.

What is the Tanakh in the Bible?

According to the Bible, God gave the Jews the Tanakh — which Christians call the Old Testament. The Tanakh is comprised of the Torah (the Pentateuch or the first five books of the Bible which give the law), the Nev’im (the prophets), and the Kethuvim (the writings).

What is a midrash?

It is a Jewish teaching tool that uses an explanation or story to give details or a modern application for an old teaching found in Jewish Scripture. Midrashim are not considered Scripture, although some are accepted as truth. According to the Bible, God gave the Jews the Tanakh — which Christians …

What are some Midrashim collections?

Other Midrash. Other Midrashim collections do exist, such as those on 1 and 2 Samuel, the Psalms, and Proverbs. Others are topical and cover a variety of subjects.

What does Timothy 3:16-17 say about the Midrash?

Second Timothy 3:16-17 says that all Scripture is inspired by God and suitable for instruction, and this certainly includes the Old Testament. But it doesn’t include the descriptions, speculation, and stories of the Midrash. Return to:

What is the Greek Hellenistic Gnostic Western thinking?

As shown in my illustration at the beginning of this article, Greek Hellenistic Gnostic Western thinking tends to go in straight lines, from A to B. Eastern thinking tends to be circular in nature, as in a cycle of life (think reincarnation for example). Midrashic thinking as a concept might be seen as a combination of the two in how it is seen; in saying this Midrash neither supports reincarnation or Gnostic thinking. Midrash as a geometric shape may be seen as a repeating pattern of conical shaped spirals merging into one another as per my diagram in the article illustration above.

What are the two types of Midrash?

There are two types of Midrash; there is Haggadic Midrash and Halakhic Midrash. Halakhic Midrash is rabbinical and legalistic i.e. that dealing with the law, this is not in scripture, so it is a wrong form of Midrash. Haggadic Midrash (as in the Haggadah) means ‘telling’, as in the Passover Seder of the book of Exodus that is enacted as …

What is the Midrashic approach to scripture?

The Hebrew-Jewish scholars/rabbi’s of Jesus and Paul’s time used the Midrashic approach in explaining, interpreting and understanding scripture. Once again, in simple terms, they used a combination of allegory (a picture revealing a hidden meaning) and typology (a type of) to reveal the deeper meanings in scripture.

How many authors are there in the Midrash?

There is no other book or religious writing that can demonstrate this. The reason for this is that although there are some 40 authors, God is the overall author and inspiration for the completed work of the Bible. As Jacob Prasch says, it is easier to demonstrate Midrash than to explain it.

What is the shape of Midrash?

Midrash as a geometric shape may be seen as a repeating pattern of conical shaped spirals merging into one another as per my diagram in the article illustration above. Midrashic interpretation of Biblical prophecy shows a repeating pattern of events/types that accelerate toward a conclusion.

How did God protect the Israelites from the Egyptian army?

God protected the Israelites from the pursuing Egyptian army by miraculously allowing them to pass through the Red Sea. God drowned the Egyptian army. God led the Israelites to the Promised Land flowing with milk and honey and destroyed what appeared to be formidable enemies in the process.

What does Jacob dig into?

Jacob digs into the Hebrew and Greek meanings of the text, and draws out the layers of meaning within scripture in an exacting way. Jacob does not tolerate error in this regard. I appreciate this, as I have discovered that there is so much error in the teaching flooding into the Church these days.

What chapter does the Master return?

Chapter 7: The Master Returns (John 20:1-29) This midrash fills in the gaps in time between Mary’s encounter of the risen Jesus in the garden and Jesus’ appearance to the disciples in the upper room. It provides a fuller picture of what might have occurred on the day of Jesus’ resurrection.

What is the Midrash about Merea?

Using selected verses from the Gospels, this midrash attempts to tell the story of Jesus’ suffering and death from the perspective of his devoted companion, Merea. It provides an imaginary "dog’s-eye" view of how a canine might react to her Master’s suffering and death.

What does Jesus invite Nicodemus to do?

In this story, Jesus invites Nicodemus to look beyond the prescriptions of the Law and to recapture the spirit that invigorates the Law. Have students prepare to read the midrash as a play, in costume if possible, with one student acting as the narrator. Assign parts to the rest of the students.

What is the midrash chapter 4?

Chapter 4: Jesus and the Pharisee (John 7:10-52) This midrash expands on a nighttime encounter between a Pharisee named Nicodemus and Jesus. It explores Nicodemus’ struggle to understand God’s law as more than just outward compliance to a set of directives.

What does Midrash use to explain the Bible?

Midrash often uses Scripture passages from other parts of the Bible to explain or solve inconsistencies within the text. However, the stories in The Master’s Companion serve as an extension of the Gospel story, rather than resolve inconsistencies between the various Gospels’ narratives.

What is a midrash?

When using or creating midrash with young people keep in mind the following: Midrash is an extension of the biblical story that springs from imagination and is not part of the canon of Scripture. Midrash must be faithful to the Scriptures and its context.

How can midrash help young people?

Finally, using and creating midrash can help young people reflect and meditate on important events in the Church’s liturgical cycle. Encouraging students to keep a journal of their insights can help them monitor their own spiritual growth.