Midrashic Traditions, Literary Editing, and Polemics in Midrash Tehillim 22: Between Judaism and Christianity
In this article I demonstrate how a careful reading of the text of Midrash Tehillim 22 reveals a clear distinction between its different developmental layers. While we do find the identification of particular verses with Esther in the early stages of the midrash's development, there is no reaso...
Main Author: | |
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Format: | Electronic Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
Journals Online & Print: | |
Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
Published: |
Brill
[2020]
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In: |
Journal for the study of Judaism in the Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman period
Year: 2020, Volume: 51, Issue: 1, Pages: 97-124 |
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Bible. Psalmen 22
/ Midrash
/ Esther, Literary characters
/ Esther
/ Polemics
/ Antichrist
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RelBib Classification: | CA Christianity HD Early Judaism |
Further subjects: | B
Psalms
B Polemics B Haggadah B Midrash B Rabbinic Literature |
Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
Summary: | In this article I demonstrate how a careful reading of the text of Midrash Tehillim 22 reveals a clear distinction between its different developmental layers. While we do find the identification of particular verses with Esther in the early stages of the midrash's development, there is no reason to assume that this identification was rooted in an anti-Christian polemic. On the other hand, in the later layers of the midrash, we find clear echoes of the systematic creation of a continuous exegesis that focuses on identifying the entire Psalm with Esther. The background for this trend was a polemical confrontation with the Christian interpretation which viewed the Psalm as a prefiguration for Jesus's crucifixion. The midrash also serves as a Jewish counter to the Christian liturgy created in the wake of the Christological reading. |
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ISSN: | 1570-0631 |
Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal for the study of Judaism in the Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman period
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Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1163/15700631-12511288 |