Midrash
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Midrash is a Jewish genre or literary form. The word 'midrash' comes from the root darash, meaning 'to enquire'. Midrash is actually a process through which someone enquires deeply about the meaning (other than the literal) of a passage.
Why did midrash evolve?
Because the writers of the Bible leave so much out of their writing (for example details and explanations) much of what we read has 'holes' in it. Midrash attempted to fill these 'holes'. A reader would ask a question about a passage and an explanation, sometimes in the form of a story, would be told to answer it.
Although Christians might think it strange to ask questions about a Scripture passage, for Jews it is not only common it is necessary in determining what the author is trying to say.
Midrash was originally one branch of oral law. However, a great deal of midrash has been collected and is now in written form.
When did Midrash start?
Midrash began with the earliest prophets. It was also something done by the Rabbis of Jesus’ time and it continues now.
Midrash Halakah explains the law; Midrash Aggadah interprets the remainder of Scripture.
Midrash aggadah talks about theology (belief in God), ethical teaching, popular thinking or philosophy, imaginative explanation, legend, allegory and animal fables. Rabbis offering midrash were often very creative and imaginative and obviously wanted to entertain their audiences. However, people reading midrash knew this and so did not think they were reading 'facts' or factual reports.
Midrash can be recognised by some of its features. Verbal echoes (where one character echoes another), repetition of phrases and obvious inconsistencies or gaps in the text are some of these features.
The infancy narratives are an example of Midrash.
Why did midrash evolve?
Because the writers of the Bible leave so much out of their writing (for example details and explanations) much of what we read has 'holes' in it. Midrash attempted to fill these 'holes'. A reader would ask a question about a passage and an explanation, sometimes in the form of a story, would be told to answer it.
Although Christians might think it strange to ask questions about a Scripture passage, for Jews it is not only common it is necessary in determining what the author is trying to say.
Midrash was originally one branch of oral law. However, a great deal of midrash has been collected and is now in written form.
When did Midrash start?
Midrash began with the earliest prophets. It was also something done by the Rabbis of Jesus’ time and it continues now.
Midrash Halakah explains the law; Midrash Aggadah interprets the remainder of Scripture.
Midrash aggadah talks about theology (belief in God), ethical teaching, popular thinking or philosophy, imaginative explanation, legend, allegory and animal fables. Rabbis offering midrash were often very creative and imaginative and obviously wanted to entertain their audiences. However, people reading midrash knew this and so did not think they were reading 'facts' or factual reports.
Midrash can be recognised by some of its features. Verbal echoes (where one character echoes another), repetition of phrases and obvious inconsistencies or gaps in the text are some of these features.
The infancy narratives are an example of Midrash.