Sifrut Tanhuma-Yelamdenu: Teur Nusheha Ve-Iyunim Be-Darkhe Hithavutam

Product Description Marc Bregman, The Tanhuma-Yelammedenu Literature: Studies in the Evolution of the Versions [Hebrew], published by Gorgias Press, 2003. Pages: x + 299 + double-sided photographic plate, 5 page English abstract + 3 page English translation of Cairo Geniza fragment (Cambridge University Library, T-S C1 46) The Tanhuma-Yelammedenu literature includes the two versions of Midrash Tanhuma, Exodus Rabbah (II), Numbers Rabbah (II), the two versions of Deuteronomy Rabbah, large parts of Pesiqta Rabbati and additional fragmentary versions of this popular type of homiletic midrash. The studies included in this volume include a survey of previous research, a catalogue of some 200 textual witnesses and a synoptic analysis of four versions of midrashic material to the triennial lection beginning with Exodus 7:8. The final chapter draws general conclusions about the date and provenance of the versions and presents a stratigraphic approach to the multifaceted evolution of this important genre of midrashic literature. From the Author Chapter I: summary of previous research on the Tanhuma-Yelammedenu literature. Chapter II: survey of the textual witnesses to the Tanhuma-Yelammedenu literature according to its literary categories, including a brief discussion of the criteria employed in identifying, categorizing and listing the textual material. Some two hundred complete and partial manuscripts and fragments are described. Chapter III: detailed, synoptic analysis of midrashic material to the triennial lection beginning with Exodus 7:8, found in four distinct versions -- a complete composite homily preserved in a Cairo Geniza fragment, Tanhuma (Printed Version), Tanhuma Buber and Exodus Rabbah -- concluding with an evaluation of the literary character of each version and an estimation of the date and provenance of its final redaction. Chapter IV: tentative conclusions. The early stratum of Tanhuma-Yelammedenu literature began to take shape in Palestine during the fifth century CE. However, in terms of its content, style and language, most of the Tanhuma-Yelammedenu Lliterature which has come down to us seems to have been created toward the end of the Byzantine period in Palestine, during the sixth and seventh centuries. Subsequently, various types of literary accretions found their way into some of the standard Tanhuma works. This late strata is particularly evident in the midrashic material unique to each of the two versions of the Tanhuma. These later accretions indicate that Tanhuma was redacted during the Geonic Period in Babylonia. While the unique parts of Tanhuma Buber seem to reflect editing in the Western Roman Empire (perhaps Northern Italy) during the early Middle Ages. Other, probably later, midrashic compositions are tangentially related to compositions of the Tanhuma type. The development of such "spin-off" works testifies to the importance of the Tanhuma-Yelammedenu genre not only in the history of Midrash, but in the general development of ancient Hebrew literature as well. From the Inside Flap "Bregman's book is undoubtedly the best research ever done about the most complicated issue in the study of rabbinic literature: the Tanhuma-type Midrashim. Based on a vast knowledge of the history of rabbinic literature, an admirable power of innovation and impressive capability of synthesis, this book lays the foundations for all future scholarship of a very important stratum in the literature of ancient Judaism." -- Prof. Avigdor Shinan "At last, an excellent exposition of the nature of the Tanhuma literature which takes into account all the textual and historical aspects of the problem." -- Prof. Chaim Milikowsky About the Author Marc Bregman received his BA in Judaic Studies from the University of California at Berkeley in 1968, his MA from the Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles in 1971 and his PhD from The Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1991. Since 1978, he has been teaching at