Pseudepigraphic invention and diachronic stratification in the stammaitic component of the Bavli: the case of Sukka 28

Close analysis of Talmud Bavli Sukka 28a-b shows that Abbaye and Rava, two Amoraic interlocutors, could not have voiced the teachings attributed to them in the course of discussion. Not only are the attributions fictitious, so are the teachings themselves. Further, the raw materials out of which Abb...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Rovner, Jay (Author)
Format: Print Article
Language:English
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Published: College 1997
In: Hebrew Union College annual / Jewish Institute of Religion
Year: 1997, Volume: 68, Pages: 11-62
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Talmud / Introduction
RelBib Classification:BH Judaism
Parallel Edition:Electronic
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Summary:Close analysis of Talmud Bavli Sukka 28a-b shows that Abbaye and Rava, two Amoraic interlocutors, could not have voiced the teachings attributed to them in the course of discussion. Not only are the attributions fictitious, so are the teachings themselves. Further, the raw materials out of which Abbaye's and Rava's pronouncements were manufactured by the Stammaitic pseudepigraphers who constructed the sugya can be located in the overall context of Sukka there. Upon further examination, the sugya proves to be separable into two layers; both are Stammaitic and late, but one layer is later than the other. The original layer is easily recovered by comparison with a parallel in b.Qiddušin 34a-b. The second layer transforms the first sugya into a dialectical essay far more complex in design and grandiose in vision. It is noteworthy that the two literary layers are distinguishable not only chronologically, but ideologically as well. Each seems to have been mobilized to serve programs dedicated to very different goals, probably on the part of two different groups. Each group raised distinct types of problems, for which they were willing to accept solutions far different in nature.
ISSN:0360-9049
Contains:In: Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Hebrew Union College annual / Jewish Institute of Religion