Rashi's Commentary on Genesis 1-6 in the Context of Judeo-Christian Controversy

The exegesis of Scripture in the Middle Ages is not purely an expression of intellectual activity for itself, but essentially a taking of position in regard to the social and religious problems of the time. The evolution of a peshat movement among Jewish scholars in the twelfth century (the "Sc...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Touitou, Elazar ca. 20./21. Jh. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
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Published: HUC 1991
In: Hebrew Union College annual
Year: 1990, Volume: 61, Pages: 159-183
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Parallel Edition:Non-electronic
Description
Summary:The exegesis of Scripture in the Middle Ages is not purely an expression of intellectual activity for itself, but essentially a taking of position in regard to the social and religious problems of the time. The evolution of a peshat movement among Jewish scholars in the twelfth century (the "School of Rashi") is essentially the reaction of the Jews to the Renaissance of this century and to the resurgence of religious controversy between Christians and Jews. The present article develops this thesis and intends to show that Rashi's commentary on Genesis 1—6 contains obvious signs of polemics with Christians: 1. The commentary on Genesis 1:1 is the response of Rashi to the conquest of Jerusalem by the Crusaders. 2. The explanation of Rashi to the verse "and the ruaḥ of God moved upon the face of the waters" is intended to counter the identification of this ruaḥ with the Christian Holy Spirit. 3. Rashi's commentary on the story of Adam's sin rejects the Christian dogma of Original Sin and the prefigurative approach about many details of the story. 4. In his commentary to the creation story, Rashi intends to reject philosophical and theological approaches. 5. Rashi develops a strict angelology for reasons equally didactic and polemical. 6. Rashi's commentary to the creation of Adam is obviously polemical.
Contains:Enthalten in: Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Hebrew Union College annual