Wednesday: Breslauer
chapter 4. pp. 82-95
www.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/TalmudM
ap/MG.html
Masorah
Chapter numbers
Targum (a few links)
Sedrah
Jewish Bibles
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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
“Proper” contents
“Proper” versions of each book
Meaning (translations)
Traditions of reading / vocalizing
Physical forms / Structures of Bibles.
Uses. Ritual, private uses, etc.
Exploring the meanings
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 century
One 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.
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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
• Jonathan:
early: very literal
interpretative.
• Became important in communal worship.
• Sometimes used in Talmud.
Gen. 1:2
MT: 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 Codex
Oldest complete Hebrew Bible ca. 1010 C.E.
5-6
Physical forms of Bibles
and 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
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Song of Songs
Ruth
Lamentations
Ecclesiastes / Qohelth
Passover Sabbath
Shavu’ot
Tisha B’Av
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.