Christine E. Hayes
- Published in print:
- 2002
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780195151206
- eISBN:
- 9780199834273
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0195151208.003.0006
- Subject:
- Religion, Biblical Studies
Rabbinic sources, tannaitic and amoraic, maintain that Gentiles are not subject to the laws of ritual impurity and do not convey ritual impurity to Jews according to Torah law. Passages adduced by ...
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Rabbinic sources, tannaitic and amoraic, maintain that Gentiles are not subject to the laws of ritual impurity and do not convey ritual impurity to Jews according to Torah law. Passages adduced by scholars as evidence of a rabbinic principle of Gentile ritual impurity (especially m. Pesahim 8:8) have been badly misinterpreted. The rabbis do assert, however, on their own authority that Gentiles should be deemed to convey ritual impurity like a gonnorheic (zav). This declaration of a limited ritual impurity for Gentiles is a legal novum of the tannaitic period, explicitly going beyond the prescriptions of the biblical text. The motivation for this decree is considered and the notion that the ritual impurity of Gentiles is grounded in the impurity of idols (as argued by Gedaliah Alon) is discounted.Less
Rabbinic sources, tannaitic and amoraic, maintain that Gentiles are not subject to the laws of ritual impurity and do not convey ritual impurity to Jews according to Torah law. Passages adduced by scholars as evidence of a rabbinic principle of Gentile ritual impurity (especially m. Pesahim 8:8) have been badly misinterpreted. The rabbis do assert, however, on their own authority that Gentiles should be deemed to convey ritual impurity like a gonnorheic (zav). This declaration of a limited ritual impurity for Gentiles is a legal novum of the tannaitic period, explicitly going beyond the prescriptions of the biblical text. The motivation for this decree is considered and the notion that the ritual impurity of Gentiles is grounded in the impurity of idols (as argued by Gedaliah Alon) is discounted.
Keith Bodner
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- August 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780198743002
- eISBN:
- 9780191802904
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198743002.001.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Biblical Studies
The last act of Jeremiah’s eventful career takes place in the wake of Babylonian destruction, as he is part of a contingent left behind in the land of Judah after the invasion. Jer 40–44 is not among ...
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The last act of Jeremiah’s eventful career takes place in the wake of Babylonian destruction, as he is part of a contingent left behind in the land of Judah after the invasion. Jer 40–44 is not among the most popular sections of the Hebrew Bible, but a remarkable story is contained in these chapters. Despite the trauma of Jerusalem’s collapse, the community who remain have every reason for cautious optimism about their future: they are provided with reasonable leadership, the Babylonians seem unexpectedly benevolent, and the prophet Jeremiah resides in their midst. But any sanguinity disintegrates in the midst of factionalism, unsubstantiated rumors of covert foreign involvement, and then, more darkly, murder, carnage, and a hostage crisis that results in an armed clash among the remnant. So, in these chapters there is an internal war after the external invasion, prompting the reader to ask how matters go so terribly awry. In this book the narrative of Jer 40–44 is subject to a literary reading that analyzes a powerfully composed story that features a host of stylistic devices and deftly sketched characters.Less
The last act of Jeremiah’s eventful career takes place in the wake of Babylonian destruction, as he is part of a contingent left behind in the land of Judah after the invasion. Jer 40–44 is not among the most popular sections of the Hebrew Bible, but a remarkable story is contained in these chapters. Despite the trauma of Jerusalem’s collapse, the community who remain have every reason for cautious optimism about their future: they are provided with reasonable leadership, the Babylonians seem unexpectedly benevolent, and the prophet Jeremiah resides in their midst. But any sanguinity disintegrates in the midst of factionalism, unsubstantiated rumors of covert foreign involvement, and then, more darkly, murder, carnage, and a hostage crisis that results in an armed clash among the remnant. So, in these chapters there is an internal war after the external invasion, prompting the reader to ask how matters go so terribly awry. In this book the narrative of Jer 40–44 is subject to a literary reading that analyzes a powerfully composed story that features a host of stylistic devices and deftly sketched characters.
Keith Bodner
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- August 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780198743002
- eISBN:
- 9780191802904
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198743002.003.0003
- Subject:
- Religion, Biblical Studies
Chapter 2 focuses on Jer 40:7–16, a section of text that has two distinct parts. The first part narrates the experiences of the community that remains in Judah; with Gedaliah as governor over the ...
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Chapter 2 focuses on Jer 40:7–16, a section of text that has two distinct parts. The first part narrates the experiences of the community that remains in Judah; with Gedaliah as governor over the land the poorest citizens are given the fields by Nebuzaradan. Various Judeans scattered by the invasion also join with Gedaliah, and included among those who arrive in Mizpah are Johanan and Ishmael. This beleaguered group gathers a crop of summer fruits and wine, implying there is every chance for success under this new arrangement. But in the second part, Jer 40:13–16, the peaceful beginnings of life after the invasion are compromised when Johanan brings Gedaliah a rumor: Ishmael, sponsored by Baalis king of the Ammonites, plans to assassinate Gedaliah. Both Johanan’s accusation and his offer to assassinate Ishmael are rejected, but the sense of peace is shattered, not helped by Jeremiah the prophet’s absence.Less
Chapter 2 focuses on Jer 40:7–16, a section of text that has two distinct parts. The first part narrates the experiences of the community that remains in Judah; with Gedaliah as governor over the land the poorest citizens are given the fields by Nebuzaradan. Various Judeans scattered by the invasion also join with Gedaliah, and included among those who arrive in Mizpah are Johanan and Ishmael. This beleaguered group gathers a crop of summer fruits and wine, implying there is every chance for success under this new arrangement. But in the second part, Jer 40:13–16, the peaceful beginnings of life after the invasion are compromised when Johanan brings Gedaliah a rumor: Ishmael, sponsored by Baalis king of the Ammonites, plans to assassinate Gedaliah. Both Johanan’s accusation and his offer to assassinate Ishmael are rejected, but the sense of peace is shattered, not helped by Jeremiah the prophet’s absence.
Keith Bodner
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- August 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780198743002
- eISBN:
- 9780191802904
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198743002.003.0004
- Subject:
- Religion, Biblical Studies
When Johanan shares the rumor about Ishmael’s plans to assassinate Gedaliah, it creates a deep uncertainty, and this chapter assesses the horrific events of Jer 41:1–8 beginning with Gedaliah’s ...
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When Johanan shares the rumor about Ishmael’s plans to assassinate Gedaliah, it creates a deep uncertainty, and this chapter assesses the horrific events of Jer 41:1–8 beginning with Gedaliah’s murder during a meal he hosts for Ishmael and his soldiers. Violation of hospitality is only one of Ishmael’s crimes as he also murders eighty pilgrims who are traveling from northern Israel to worship at the (ruined) temple of Jerusalem. Among the questions analyzed in this chapter, preeminent is Ishmael’s motive: the reader can perhaps understand Ishmael’s antipathy toward Gedaliah, but why does he ambush the pilgrims as well? The reader also discovers that Ishmael is from the royal family, so it may be that he hopes to reclaim the throne. Finally, the reader may ask about Johanan: why is he absent when Gedaliah is attacked by Ishmael, since he announced Ishmael’s intentions in the first place?Less
When Johanan shares the rumor about Ishmael’s plans to assassinate Gedaliah, it creates a deep uncertainty, and this chapter assesses the horrific events of Jer 41:1–8 beginning with Gedaliah’s murder during a meal he hosts for Ishmael and his soldiers. Violation of hospitality is only one of Ishmael’s crimes as he also murders eighty pilgrims who are traveling from northern Israel to worship at the (ruined) temple of Jerusalem. Among the questions analyzed in this chapter, preeminent is Ishmael’s motive: the reader can perhaps understand Ishmael’s antipathy toward Gedaliah, but why does he ambush the pilgrims as well? The reader also discovers that Ishmael is from the royal family, so it may be that he hopes to reclaim the throne. Finally, the reader may ask about Johanan: why is he absent when Gedaliah is attacked by Ishmael, since he announced Ishmael’s intentions in the first place?
