This book presents a new framework for understanding the relationship between biblical narrative and rabbinic law. Drawing on legal theory and models of rabbinic exegesis, Jane L. Kanarek argues for the centrality of biblical narrative in the formation of rabbinic law. Through close readings of selected Talmudic and midrashic texts, Kanarek demonstrates that rabbinic legal readings of narrative scripture are best understood through the framework of a referential exegetical web. She shows that law should be viewed as both prescriptive of normative behavior and as a meaning-making enterprise. By explicating the hermeneutical processes through which biblical narratives become resources for legal norms, this book transforms our understanding of the relationship of law and narrative as well as the ways in which scripture becomes a rabbinic document that conveys legal authority and meaning.
Author(s): Jane L. Kanarek
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Year: 2014
Language: English
Pages: 225
City: Cambridge
Cover
Half-title
Title page
Copyright information
Dedication
Table of contents
Acknowledgments
1 Introduction
Law and Narrative
Halakhah and Aggadah
Reading Narrative Back into Law: Biblical Exegesis
2 Abraham’s Knife
Biblical Foundations
The Akedah as Narrative
Legal Terminology
Law’s Authority and Legal Zealousness
Genesis Rabbah 56:6
B. Hullin 16a
Why Shehitah?
Sacrificial Knives: Tannaitic Texts
Sacrificial Knives: Amoraic and Anonymous Texts
Zealousness
Narrative Authority
3 Rebekah’s Betrothal
Biblical Foundations
Legal Terminology
Becoming Rabbinic Law
Creating Context: Genesis Rabbah 60:12
Linking Laws: B. Ketubot 57b
Why Rebekah?
The Virgin, the Ketubah, and the High Priest
Finally, Why Rebekah?
4 Joseph’s Mourning
Biblical and Second Temple Foundations
Law’s Sources
A Legal Anthology: Y. Moed Katan 3:5, 82c
Linking Laws: B. Moed Katan 20a
Another Disappearance
Creating Legal Networks
5 An Assembly of Ten
Biblical and Second Temple Foundations
Beginning a Rabbinic Textual History: M. Sanhedrin 1:6–7
A Continued Textual History: Y. Sanhedrin 1:6, 19c; Y. Berakhot 7:3, 11c; Y. Megillah 4:3, 75b
Y. Sanhedrin 1:6, 19c
Y. Berakhot 7:3, 11c
Y. Megillah 4:3, 75b
B. Sanhedrin 74b
B. Berakhot 21b
B. Megillah 23b
Overlapping Prooftexts?
Circulating Traditions
Fragmentary Traditions
6 Conclusion
Bibliography
Index of Primary Sources
Subject Index
