Annotated Critical Edition
With Nusah Variations, References, Quotes from Maḥberet Menahem, Dunash's Critiques and an Extensive Introduction
In the tenth century, in Jewish Spain, a fierce and public debate took place between two of the first linguists - Menaḥem ben Saruq and Dunash ben Labrat. The bitter debate, which also had interpretative implications for the Bible, spilled over and reached the point of accusing Menaḥem of Karaism. About two hundred years after the outbreak of the debate, Rabbenu Tam, the Talmudic giant, was called upon to decide between them on issues of language. According to him, his duty was to correct the ongoing injustice caused to Menaḥem both by Dunash in his wrong answers about Maḥberet Menahem, and by sages who over the generations did not stand by Menaḥem's side. The rulings of Rabbenu Tam are grouped together in a collection that was named 'The Rulings of Rabbi Tam', and they are distinctly inclined to Menaḥem's side. The essay reveals, among other things, the unique root method of Rabbenu Tam that has not yet been properly diagnosed in research, his method on various topics in the theory of language and his way of interpreting the Bible. Even though Rabbenu Tam was born in the twelfth century, he was not familiar with the theory of the three-letter root of the Hebrew verb, as Judah Hayyuj recognized it at the end of the tenth century.
For the first time, all the elements of the subject are collected in one volume: relevant quotations from Maḥberet Menahem, Dunash's answers to Menaḥem, an annotated and illustrated scientific edition of the composition of decisions with a formula exchange mechanism based on four manuscripts known today and an attached commentary explaining the obscure and enigmatic language of Rabbenu Tam. The edition is preceded by an extensive introduction examining, among other things, the interpretive and linguistic way of Rabbenu Tam.
Dr. Gedalia Lasser has a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the Technion in Haifa, and a master's and doctorate in Bible Studies from Bar-Ilan University.
Danacode: 110-20356 ISBN: 978-965-226-640-8 Language: Hebrew Pages: 750 Weight: 1450 gr Dimensions: 17X24 cm Publication Date: 12/2023 Publisher: Bar-Ilan University Press
CONTENTS
Foreword 15
A. Introduction
Preface 19
Rabbenu Tam and the Resolution Treatise 19
Characteristics of the Resolution Treatise 22
The Annotated Scientific Edition 23
The Introduction 24
The Pa’al: Rabbenu Tam’s Innovation Regarding the Theory of Roots 28
The Introductory Poem to the Resolution Treatise 29
Usage and Familiarity with the Scientific Edition and Introduction 30
Chapter One: Academic Research and the Making of the
Resolution Treatise 31
Identifying the Author of the Resolution Treatise 31
Survey of Academic Research Regarding the Menaḥem-Dunash Polemic and the Resolution Treatise 34
Manuscripts 35
Primary Sources in Print Related to the Menaḥem-Dunash Polemic and Rabbenu Tam’s Resolutions 38
Advantage of the Scientific Edition of the Resolution Treatise Over the Filipowski Edition 40
Number of Topics Discussed by Dunash and Rabbenu Tam and their Order in the Manuscripts and Printed Editions 42
The Connection Between the Structure of the Works of Rabbenu Tam and Dunash 47
Chapter Two: Exegetical Rules 49
Semantics 49
Syntax 55
Parallelism 62
Identical Stories 65
Topical Context 67
The Plain Meaning of Scripture 69
Chapter Three: Methods of Exegesis of Individual Words 71
Root-based Interpretation 71
Context-based Interpretation 74
Interpretation by Means of Transposing Letters 79
Interpretation by Means of Exchanging Consonants 82
Linguistic-based Interpretation 83
Interpretation by Means of Compounding Words 88
Interpretations based on Roots with Opposite Meanings 89
Interpretation based on Literary Structure 90
Interpretation based on Similar Situations 91
Chapter Four: Unique Exegetical Characteristics 94
Exposure of Personalities and Historical Events 94
Unusual Original Exegesis 98
Logic-based Exegesis 104
Multiple Meanings of a Biblical Word 109
Setting the Straightforward Meaning Aside 111
Reality-based Exegesis 113
Etymology 116
Chapter Five: Other Languages: Mishnaic Hebrew, Various Forms of Aramaic, Arabic 120
Mishnaic Hebrew 120
The Aramaic of Biblical Translations: Onkelos, Yonatan, The Translation Attributed to Yonatan, Translation of the Ketuvim 126
Biblical Aramaic 130
The Arabic Language 132
Chapter Six: Rabbenu Tam’s Sources 136
Ḥazal 136
Aramaic Translations 141
The Masters of Niqqud and Ta’amim 144
The Masoretes 147
Works of Other Authors 151
Chapter Seven: The Purpose of the Resolution Treatise, Characteristics of the Discussion and the Culture of the Debate 160
The Purpose of the Resolution Treatise 160
The Characteristics of the Discussion 169
A Resolution Favoring Dunash’s Approach with a Reservation 170
Proposal for a Compromise Between the Approaches of Menaḥem and Dunash 173
Evasion of a Non-Exegetical Discussion where Menaḥem is in an Inferior Position 175
Justification of Dunash by means of an Exceptionally Short Statement 177
Proven Refutation of Dunash’s Interpretations 178
Deviation from the Orientation: Critiquing Menaḥem 179
The Culture of the Debate 185
Rabbenu Tam’s Attitude Toward Menaḥem 186
Rabbenu Tam’s Attitude Toward Dunash 188
Rabbenu Tam’s Attitude Toward His Image 193
Chapter Eight: Influence of the Resolution Treatise’s Purpose on the Exegetical Discussion 198
Refutable Exegetical Claims 198
Non-inclusive Rules 206
Puzzling Interpretations 210
Flexible Exegesis Compatible with Goals 212
Chapter Nine: Matters of Jewish Thought 214
The Characteristics of God 214
Pure Faith in God 215
Man’s Essence and Spirit 216
Free Will 217
Jewish Tradition 218
The Anti-Christian Polemic 219
Chapter Ten: Manners of Expression, Writing Method and Lexicography 222
Manners of Expression: Language and Style 222
Words, Phrases, Sentences 222
Exegetical Terminology 225
Unusual Usage of a Common Term 226
Style 228
Manners of Expression: Literary Adornments 230
Poem Introducing a Discussion 230
Rhyming Integrated into a Discussion 232
Rhyming Concluding a Discussion 232
Inlay of Biblical Language 232
Inlay of Mishnaic Language 234
Writing Method 235
Discussion Structure 235
Usage of Commentaries Appearing in Previous Discussions 236
Secondary Roundabout Discussion 237
Theoretical Examples 239
Lexicography 240
Conditions for Lexicographic Merging 241
Conditions for Lexicographic Separation 244
Chapter Eleven: The Pa’al: Rabbenu Tam’s Innovation within the Theory of Roots 247
History of Research Concerning Rabbenu Tam’s Root Method 247
Rabbenu Tam Accepts Menahem’s Method for Determining Roots 248
Pa’al of the Transitional Stage 249
Theory of Pa’al in Rabbenu Tam’s Words 252
Various Comments Concerning the Pa’al in Rabbenu Tam’s Words 253
Comments on Eldar’s Article 254
Summary 257
Chapter Twelve: Matters of Grammar 258
Linguistic Terms 258
Phonological Topics 264
Accentuation 264
Additional (Superfluous) Letters 266
Missing Letters 267
Letters and Biblical Cantillation Symbols 268
Various Punctuation Rules 268
Morphological Topics 271
Verb Forms 271
Various Matters Regarding Roots 276
Binyan Kal and the “Heavy” Constructions 281
Various Comments Regarding Verb Constructions 282
Nouns 283
Comparison of Patterns 286
Topics Relating to Syntax 287
Conclusion 292
B. Annotated Critical Edition With Nusaḥ Variations, References, Quotes from Maḥberet Menaḥem and Dunash’s Critiques
Introduction to the Edition 295
Table of Contents for the Edition and for the Filipowski Edition 296
Introductory Poem 301
Sections 1-160 314
Concluding Poem 693
Bibliography 698
Indexes to the Rabbenu Tam Edition and its Commentaries 719