What is Good, and What God Demands: Normative Structures in Tannaitic Literature

by Tzvi Novick

The normative rhetoric of tannaitic literature (the earliest extant corpus of rabbinic Judaism) is predominantly deontological. Prior scholarship on rabbinic supererogation, and on points of contact with Greco-Roman virtue discourse, has identified non-deontological aspects of tannaitic normativity. However, these two frameworks overlook precisely the productive intersection of deontological with non-deontological, the first because supererogation defines itself against obligation, and the second because the Greco-Roman comparate discourages serious treatment of law-like elements. This book addresses ways in which alternative normative forms entwine with the core deontological rhetoric of tannaitic literature. This perspective exposes, inter alia, echoes of the post-biblical wisdom tradition in tannaitic law, the rich polyvalence of the category mitzvah, and telling differences between the schools of Akiva and Ishmael.

260 pages, Leather Bound

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Josh Yuter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent academic work, though not written for popular audiences. Highly recommended for those in the field and/or not intimidated by academic writing.