Intertextuality and the Reading of Midrash (Indiana Studies in Biblical Literature)

Proceeding by means of intensive readings of passages from the early midrash on Exodus The Mekilta, Boyarin proposes a new theory of midrash that rests in part on an understanding of the heterogeneity of the biblical text and the constraining force of rabbinic ideology on the production of midrash. In a forceful combination of theory and reading, Boyarin raises profound questions concerning the interplay between history, ideology, and interpretation. cover......Page 1 ISBN......Page 4 in loving memory......Page 6 Acknowledgments......Page 8 Introduction......Page 9 Note on the Translations......Page 13 1 Toward a New Theory of Midrash......Page 14 2 Reciting the Torah: The Function of Quotation in the Midrash......Page 36 3 Textual Heterogeneity in the Torah and the Dialectic of the Mekilta: The Midrash vs. Source Criticism as Reading Strategies......Page 53 4 Dual Signs, Ambiguity, and the Dialectic of Intertextual Readings......Page 71 5 Interpreting in Ordinary Language: The Mashal as Intertext......Page 94 6 The Sea Resists: Midrash and the (Psycho) Dynamics of Intertextuality......Page 107 7 The Song Of Songs, Lock Or Key: The Holy Song As A Mashal......Page 119 8 Between Intertextuality and History: The Martyrdom of Rabbi Akiva......Page 131 Epilogue......Page 141 Introduction......Page 144 1. Toward a New Theory of Midrash......Page 145 2. Reciting the Torah......Page 148 3. Textual Heterogeneity in the Torah and the Dialectic of the Mekilta......Page 153 4. Dual Signs, Ambiguity, and the Dialectic of Intertextual Readings......Page 156 5. Interpreting in Ordinary Language......Page 163 6. The Sea Resists......Page 165 7. The Song of Songs, Lock or Key......Page 169 8. Between Intertexuality and History......Page 171 Index......Page 174 cover 1 ISBN 4 Contents 6 in loving memory 6 Acknowledgments 8 Introduction 9 Note on the Translations 13 1 Toward a New Theory of Midrash 14 2 Reciting the Torah: The Function of Quotation in the Midrash 36 3 Textual Heterogeneity in the Torah and the Dialectic of the Mekilta: The Midrash vs. Source Criticism as Reading Strategies 53 4 Dual Signs, Ambiguity, and the Dialectic of Intertextual Readings 71 5 Interpreting in Ordinary Language: The Mashal as Intertext 94 6 The Sea Resists: Midrash and the (Psycho) Dynamics of Intertextuality 107 7 The Song Of Songs, Lock Or Key: The Holy Song As A Mashal 119 8 Between Intertextuality and History: The Martyrdom of Rabbi Akiva 131 Epilogue 141 Notes 144 Introduction 144 1. Toward a New Theory of Midrash 145 2. Reciting the Torah 148 3. Textual Heterogeneity in the Torah and the Dialectic of the Mekilta 153 4. Dual Signs, Ambiguity, and the Dialectic of Intertextual Readings 156 5. Interpreting in Ordinary Language 163 6. The Sea Resists 165 7. The Song of Songs, Lock or Key 169 8. Between Intertexuality and History 171 Index 174

Proceeding by means of intensive readings of passages from the early midrash on Exodus The Mekilta, Boyarin proposes a new theory of midrash that rests in part on an understanding of the heterogeneity of the biblical text and the constraining force of rabbinic ideology on the production of midrash. In a forceful combination of theory and reading, Boyarin raises profound questions concerning the interplay between history, ideology, and interpretation.