<<The>> scholastic culture of the Babylonian Talmud

"The Scholastic Culture of the Babylonian Talmud studies how and in what cultural context the Talmud began to take shape in the scholastic centers of rabbinic Babylonia. Bickart tracks the use of the term tistayem ("let it be promulgated") and its analogs, in contexts ranging from Amoraic disciple circles to Geonic texts, and in comparison with literatures of Syriac-speaking Christians. The study demonstrates increasing academization during the talmudic period, and supports a gradual model of the Talmud's redaction"-- Provided by publisher TABLE OF CONTENTS 7 Acknowledgements 9 Introduction 11 Chapter One. Exiled to the Academy 35 Chapter Two. The Origins of Redaction 63 Chapter Three. The Terminology of the Siyyuma 87 Chapter Four. Late Uses of the Root s.y.m. in the Talmud and benei siyyuma in Geonic Literature 165 Chapter Five. Linguistic Parallels = Cultural Parallels 193 Conclusion 223 Select Bibliography 233 Indices 253 The Siyyuma and the Anonymous Voice of the Talmud -- Exiled to the Academy -- The Terminology of the Siyyuma -- Late Uses of the Root s.y.m. in the Talmud and benei siyyuma in Geonic Literature -- Linguistic Parallels = Cultural Parallels