Genealogy and Polemics in Rabbinic Literature of Late Antiquity
This study describes differences between Palestinian and Babylonian rabbis on the subject of genealogical purity. Palestinian rabbinic sources tend to, 1. advocate discretion in matters of genealogical purity, in contrast to Babylonians, who advocate public disclosure of genealogical blemishes. In a...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
HUC
1997
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| In: |
Hebrew Union College annual
Year: 1996, Volume: 67, Pages: 77-94 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Parallel Edition: | Non-electronic
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| Summary: | This study describes differences between Palestinian and Babylonian rabbis on the subject of genealogical purity. Palestinian rabbinic sources tend to, 1. advocate discretion in matters of genealogical purity, in contrast to Babylonians, who advocate public disclosure of genealogical blemishes. In addition, 2. Babylonian rabbis are depicted using their knowledge of genealogy against powerful non-rabbinic opponents, but Palestinian rabbis are not. These differences, we argue, are connected to distinctions between the non-Jewish cultures within which the rabbis flourished. Persian society is rigidly hierarchical, with movement between the various classes almost impossible, whereas boundaries between classes in Greco-Roman society are less rigid. Very likely, the sources accurately depict Babylonian zealotry about genealogical purity, and Palestinian willingness to avoid confrontations on this issue. This study also describes differences between the Bavli's and the Yerushalmi's descriptions of Palestinian rabbinic reaction to Babylonian rabbinic claims of genealogical superiority. According to the Bavli, Palestinian rabbis are vitally interested in the Babylonians' claims, and either, 1. present Palestinians as supportive of Babylonian claims, or 2. record Palestinian opposition only when accompanied by a refutation. According to the Yerushalmi, in contrast, Palestinian rabbis have no interest in Babylonian claims of genealogical superiority, and preserve no record of Babylonian claims. This study concludes that sources dealing with genealogy most likely attest to a Babylonian polemic against Palestinians, and perhaps to a Palestinian polemic against Babylonians. |
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| Contains: | Enthalten in: Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Hebrew Union College annual
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