Wednesday: Breslauer chapter 4. pp. 82-95

www.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/TalmudMap/MG.htmlMasorah

Chapter numbers

Targum (a few links)

Sedrah

Jewish Bibles

• 1 “Proper” contents• 2 “Proper” versions of each book• 3 Meaning (translations)• 4 Traditions of reading / vocalizing• 5 Physical forms / Structures of Bibles.• 6 Uses. Ritual, private uses, etc.• 7 Exploring the meanings• 8 Preserving authoritative

commentaries.

1. Proper content

Which books were and were not, scriptural?

• Not finalized until early centuries C.E.

Post 70 c.e. Fixed canon

Torah / Prophets already accepted

List of other “Writings” determined.

Tanakh comes into being

Criteria uncertain• Only Hebrew / Aramaic

• Greek Septuagint’s extra books out.

• “Ancient”: Latest early 2nd Temple (i.e.,

before 450 bce).

• Radical Apocalypses rejected.

• Sectarian texts rejected.

2. “Proper” versions

• Ancient manuscripts show great diversity.

• Rabbis determined a “correct” text. Wanted consistency to the last letter.

• By mid 2nd centuryOne version becomes standard.Some variants remain.

Masoretic Text

• Name of the modern version of biblical books

• Rabbi’s decided on the “Proto-M.T.”

• “Masorah” the rabbinic traditions of reading and recitation of the proto-M.T.

Proto- and early M. T.

• On Scrolls

• Multiple titles on one scroll

• No complete consistency in order of books

• No vowels.

• Few could read them

3 Meaning (translations)

“Targums” Aramaic

In worship: Hebrew read aloud

Translated orally for congregation with some added explanations.

Targums 2nd century onwards

• Onkelos early: very literal

• Jonathan: interpretative.

• Became important in communal worship.

• Sometimes used in Talmud.

Gen. 1:2MT: The earth was formless and void, and

darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.

T. J. And the earth was vacancy and desolation, solitary of the sons of men, and void of every animal; and darkness was upon the face of the abyss, and the Spirit of mercies from before the Lord breathed upon the face of the waters.

4 Traditions of reading / vocalizing

• Sacred text in a sacred language requires specific pronunciation.

• Oral reading of text without vowels difficult

• nd h sd t mss s t th srlts b crfl t kp ths lw

Masorah “Tradition”

• System of correct text and pronunciation.

• Taught by rote memorization of scripture.

• Later: MT copied out with vowels, accents,

etc. added

Masoretes:

• Scholars who established “correct” text and vocalizations

• “Masoretic text” the version they adopted and further developed.

• Some variety remains.

masorah

Vowels & accents

Reading variations

• Section divisions

Word lists / counts

Leningrad CodexOldest complete Hebrew Bible ca. 1010 C.E.

5 - 6 Physical forms of Biblesand Uses

• Scroll form generally used for ritual purposes.– All of Tanakh NOT put on a single scroll.

• Codex form used for study purposes.

Torah

• Scroll (unvocalized) used for synagogue worship.

• Codex (vocalized) for congregations to read along.

“Chumash”

• Codex with full masorah for study

Haftarah

• Readings from the Prophets to accompany weekly Torah reading

• Antiochus forbade Torah readings: Jews substituted Prophets reading.

• Reading from Codex permitted

“Megillah”5 festival scrolls

• Song of Songs Passover Sabbath

• Ruth Shavu’ot

• Lamentations Tisha B’Av

• Ecclesiastes / Qohelth Sukkoth Sabbath

Esther Purim

7 Exploring the meanings

• Study of words, themes becomes important.

• Bible interpreted in the light of developed tradition.

• Serious questions about tradition could be raised.