The Characterization of Miṣwot and Conception of Halakhah in Rabbinic Non-Halakhic Literature

Abstract Scholarly discussion concerning rabbinic conceptions of the nature of halakhah—realist vs. nominalist—has for the most part focused on halakhic content and discourse. However, as Schremer has shown, non-halakhic passages may present conceptions that differ from those found in halakhic sourc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of jewish studies
Main Author: Katzoff, Binyamin (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Brill 2021
In: European journal of jewish studies
Year: 2021, Volume: 15, Issue: 2, Pages: 183-200
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Rabbinic literature / Halacha
RelBib Classification:AB Philosophy of religion; criticism of religion; atheism
BH Judaism
Further subjects:B conception of halakhah
B characterization of miṣwot
B Realism
B Nominalism
B non-halakhic sources
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Summary:Abstract Scholarly discussion concerning rabbinic conceptions of the nature of halakhah—realist vs. nominalist—has for the most part focused on halakhic content and discourse. However, as Schremer has shown, non-halakhic passages may present conceptions that differ from those found in halakhic sources. Following Schremer’s suggested distinction, in this study I examine non-halakhic texts which use various metaphors or linguistic styles to characterize the miṣwot . In the cases I examine, I will demonstrate that the authors could have formulated their content in more than one way, and thus their choice of a particular linguistic style reflects their particular conception of the nature of the miṣwot . My suggestion is that non-halakhic sources that display both modes of thought, realist and nominalist views of Jewish law, offer more accurate reflections of the multifaceted conceptual world of the rabbis than do halakhic texts.
ISSN:1872-471X
Contains:Enthalten in: European journal of jewish studies
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1163/1872471X-bja10024