A Theological Commentary to the Midrash Ruth

This theological commentary to the Rabbinic Midrash explores a simple proposition, in three parts: I. The reading of Scripture by principal parts of the Rabbinic Midrash is formed by compositions and composites that are animated by a cogent theological system. II. These primary components of the Midrash-compilations, further, are in part aimed at systematic demonstrations of theorems of a theological character. III. While forming a principal part of a large theological structure and system, each document is unique.

Preface

ix

Introduction

xix

Part One Ruth Rabbah

Ruth Rabbah: The Petihta'ot

1

(10)

Ruth Rabbah Parashah One

11

(2)

Ruth Rabbah Parashah Two

13

(4)

Ruth Rabbah Parashah Three

17

(2)

Ruth Rabbah Parashah Four

19

(4)

Ruth Rabbah Parashah Five

23

(6)

Ruth Rabbah Parashah Six

29

(2)

Ruth Rabbah Parashah Seven

31

(4)

Ruth Rabbah Parashah Eight

35

(2)

The Rabbinic Theology Not of, but in, Ruth Rabbah. And What Does Ruth Rabbah Contribute to the Theology of Rabbinic Judaism?

37

(46)

The Rabbinic Theology Not of, but in, Ruth Rabbah

37

(6)

The Theological Propositions of the Petihta and Parashiyyot of Ruth Rabbah: How They Cohere in an Inductive Reading

43

(10)

Propositions Shared among Pesiqta deRab Kahana, Genesis Rabbah, Song of Songs Rabbah, Leviticus Rabbah, Lamentations Rabbati, and Ruth Rabbah

44

(1)

God and Man, God and Israel

45

(1)

God and the Nations, Israel and the Nations

46

(1)

Israel's encounter with God through the Torah

46

(1)

Divine Justice and Mercy

47

(1)

God's Judgment, Israel's Repentance and Atonement; God's Remorse, Israel's Consolation

47

(1)

Restoration; God will Bring the End through the Royal Messiah at a Time of his Own Choosing, and His Hand is Not to be Forced

48

(2)

The End of Days

50

(1)

Creation Contains within Itself Signals of What Would Happen in Future History

50

(1)

The Merit that Accrues in One Generation to the Benefit of Another Generation

50

(1)

The Righteous Receive their Reward Later On

51

(1)

Commandments are the Marks of Israel's Distinction before God

51

(1)

Why This, Not That: The Hermeneutics that Generates the Exegesis and its Category-Formations

51

(1)

Propositions Particular to Ruth Rabbah

52

(1)

The Inductive Category-Formations and their Coherence

52

(1)

The Theological Propositions of Ruth Rabbah: The Principal Parts Viewed Deductively

53

(1)

The Statement of Ruth Rabbah in the Context of the Theology of Rabbinic Judaism

54

(4)

Does Ruth Rabbah Form a Theological Statement on its Own?

58

(1)

What Does Ruth Rabbah Contribute?

59

(2)

Appendix One: How Theological Are Ruth Rabbah Parashah Two and Parashah Seven?

61

(22)

Part Two Esther Rabbah I

Esther Rabbah I. The Petihta'ot

83

(8)

Esther Rabbah I Parashah One

91

(2)

Esther Rabbah I Parashah Two

93

(2)

Esther Rabbah I Parashah Three

95

(2)

Esther Rabbah I Parashah Four

97

(2)

Esther Rabbah I Parashah Five

99

(2)

Esther Rabbah I Parashah Six

101

(2)

The Rabbinic Theology not of, but in, Esther Rabbah I. And What Does Esther Rabbah I Contribute to the Theology of Rabbinic Judaism?

103

(1)

The Rabbinic Theology Not of, but in, Esther Rabbah I

103

(1)

The Theological Propositions of the Petihta and Parashiyyot of Esther Rabbah I: How They Cohere in an Inductive Reading

104

(1)

Propositions Shared among Pesiqta deRab Kahana, Genesis Rabbah, Song of Songs Rabbah, Leviticus Rabbah, Lamentations Rabbati, Ruth Rabbah, and Esther Rabbah I

104

(1)

God and Man, God and Israel

104

(1)

God and the Nations, Israel and the Nations

105

(1)

Israel's encounter with God through the Torah

106

(1)

Divine Justice and Mercy

106

(1)

God's Judgment, Israel's Repentance and Atonement; God's Remorse, Israel's Consolation

106

(1)

Restoration; God will Bring the End through the Royal Messiah at a Time of his Own Choosing, and His Hand is Not to be Forced

107

(1)

The End of Days

107

(1)

Creation Contains within Itself Signals of What Would Happen in Future History

107

(1)

The Merit that Accrues in One Generation to the Benefit of Another Generation

107

(1)

The Righteous Receive their Reward Later On

107

(1)

Commandments are the Marks of Israel's Distinction before God

107

(1)

Propositions Particular to Esther Rabbah I

108

(1)

The Inductive Category-Formations and their Coherence

108

(1)

The Theological Propositions of Esther Rabbah I: The Principal Parts Viewed Deductively

109

(1)

The Statement of Esther Rabbah I in the Context of the Theology of Rabbinic Judaism

109

(6)

Does Esther Rabbah I Form a Theological Statement on its Own?

115

(1)

What Does Esther Rabbah I Contribute?

115

(1)

Esther Rabbah I and Ruth Rabbah

115

(2)

Appendix Two: How Theological Are the Petihta'ot and Parashah Four of Esther Rabbah I

117

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A Theological Commentary to the Midrash Ruth Rabbah and Esther Rabbah I

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