Learning to Read Midrash

by Simi Peters

Presenting a systematic approach to the study of midrash, each of the readings featured in this book attempts to reconstruct the reasoning behind midrashic commentary on biblical narrative. The study begins by defining what midrash is, discussing why it can be so difficult to understand, and explaining how the Jewish sages used midrash to interpret biblical text. It then explores two genres of midrash—the parable and the midrashic story—and utilizes detailed readings to demonstrate how to “translate” the language of the sages into contemporary terminology. Among the texts analyzed in the book are some of the most fascinating and complex biblical stories, including the binding of Isaac, the sin of David and Bathsheba, the book of Jonah, and Moses and the burning bush. This study conveys a sensitivity to the language and meanings of the Hebrew Bible and helps readers develop an appreciation for the language and teachings of the Jewish sages.

Genres: Judaism, Jewish

310 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 2005

Reviews

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Understanding midrash (explanations of the Hebrew bible by classical commentators) is difficult - midrash is often opaque, seemingly fantastical, and free in its departure from the 'obvious' meanings of the text it seeks to explicate. Simi Peters does an elegant and exemplary job of explaining and elucidating how it works in two of its sub-genres: the mashal (parable) and the narrative expansion. There are 16 texts - all well-known Biblical stories of Abraham, the binding of Isaac, Moses, Joseph and Judah, Hannah, et al - clearly analyzed (in a way that readers can apply to other midrashim) and sensitively explicated. I loved reading this and am grateful that such a superlative teacher has shared her approach with readers who do not have the opportunity to study with her directly. More, please!

[Eric Chevlen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learning to Read Midrash invites the reader to a deeper understanding of midrashim, the corpus of Talmud-era writing which is not strictly halachic. There are several approaches to such learning, depending on the structure of the midrash under consideration.

One way is to view the midrash as a parable, and then to align the midrashic text with the Bible event to which it is parallel. Some of these parables start with the none-too-subtle introduction, "To what may this be compared?...A King called in his advisors, and asked them..." The King, obviously, represents God in such a midrash.

Another midrashic technique is expanding the discourse. In the famous story of the akeda (the binding of Isaac), the midrash expands the text as follows: God says, "Take your son." Abraham replies, "I have two sons." God says, "Your only son." Abraham replies "Each of my sons is the only son of his mother." God says, "Whom you love." Abraham replies, "I love them both." God then specifies, "Isaac." In the text of Genesis, Abraham's replies are not stated. This is such a familiar dialogue that many people believe it is to be found in the Torah text.

The author takes several examples of midrashim and offers an in-depth analysis of them. These examples, and the lessons of the book, probably do not prepare the reader to do analyses as deep as those of the author. But the perceptive reader will certainly not know less about understanding midrashim after reading the book.

[Steve Gross · Rating 2 out of 5]

Repetitive and plodding. No flashes of insight.