We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
'Even Though there is no Proof to the Matter, There is an Indication of the Matter': The Meaning, Character and Significance of the Phrase in the Tannaitic Literature.
- Authors
Rosen-Zvi, Assaf
- Abstract
The phrase 'Even though there is no proof to the matter, there is an indication of the matter' is used in Tannaitic homilies to introduce a scriptural citation. While other introductory formulas (e.g., 'as it is said') have no specific meaning, this one supposedly indicates a weak connection between the homily and the verse cited as its source. In this article the author rejects this widespread understanding, showing that the phrase has nothing to do with the persuasive force of the evidence. Rather, it marks the problematic authority of non-legal scriptures (even from the Pentateuch) in Halachic rulings. The phrase thus indicates that the matter is indeed mentioned in the scripture, but the verse cannot be taken as an absolute evidence, due to its non-Halachic context. The paper further attempts to show that the phrase belongs to the school of R. lshmael, and is part of this school's midrashic methods. After mapping the occurrences of the phrase, the paper concentrates on the series of homilies in Mishnah, Shabbat 8:7-9:4, arguing that in this well formed unit the editor points to the problematic authority of non-Halachic scripture. The last part of the article deals with the polemic character of the phrase, as is attested especially from comparison to the opposite phrase: 'there is a proof for the matter'. The paper ends with a reflection on the significance of the phrase for the understanding of midrashic methods as well as for the role of scriptural authority in the Tannaitic homilies.
- Subjects
HALAKHIC Midrashim; COMMANDMENTS (Judaism); LITURGICAL objects in Judaism; MINHAGIM; BIBLE; SERMON (Literary form)
- Publication
Tarbiz, 2009, Vol 78, Issue 3, p323
- ISSN
0334-3650
- Publication type
Article