
The Challenge of Received Tradition
Dilemmas of Interpretation in Radak's Biblical Commentaries
Naomi Grunhaus(Author)
Oxford University Press Inc
Published on 31. January 2013
Book
Hardback
274 pages
978-0-19-985840-8 (ISBN)
Description
One of the most vexing problems facing medieval Jewish interpreters of the Hebrew Bible was how to implement the new interpretive strategy of extracting the straightforward, contextual meaning of biblical verses (peshat), without neglecting revered ancient rabbinic modes of interpretation (derash), which tended to be more fanciful and homiletical. This book investigates the interpretive style of Radak (R. David Kimhi, c. 1160-1232), one of the most preeminent Jewish exegetes, who masterfully utilized both approaches simultaneously. Analyzing his idiosyncratic consistent juxtaposition of peshat and derash-type rabbinic comments, and thoroughly parsing his methodological statements, the book demonstrates how at times he finds rabbinic traditions essential to resolving textual questions that arise in exegesis, while at other times, he affords them only ancillary functions in his commentaries. Naomi Grunhaus also considers in depth Radak's criteria when challenging rabbinic teachings, whether in narrative or legal contexts, which leads to the conclusion that most often he rejects rabbinic traditions when they appear to contradict textual biblical evidence, but occasionally also on the grounds of implausibility. Particularly noteworthy is the author's discussion of Radak's apparent challenges to rabbinic legal interpretations of Scriptures, an approach which most other exegetes hesitated to take. The book considers the anomaly that Radak regularly quotes rabbinic traditions and relies on traditional authority, while simultaneously challenging this same authority when rejecting certain rabbinic interpretations.
Reviews / Votes
Grunhaus s inspired book (which does not fail to consider previous work on the subject) manages to offer a vivid, comprehensive, and precise elucidation of what makes Radak s commentary unique, in particular with regard to the relation between peshat and derash in his writings...Many of her insights on these matters are original and, above all, challenging. Grunhaus s study is remarkable in its richness of detail, and it seems nothing has eluded her attention; her sources cover extensive ground, and her writing is eloquent and reliable. Scholars and lay readers alike will derive understanding and enjoyment from her book. * Speculum *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
632 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-985840-8 (9780199858408)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Naomi Grunhaus
The Challenge of Received Tradition
Dilemmas of Interpretation in Radak's Biblical Commentaries
E-Book
11/2012
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€56.49
Available for download
Person
Assistant Professor of Jewish Studies, Stern College for Women, Yeshiva University
Author
Assistant Professor of Jewish StudiesAssistant Professor of Jewish Studies, Yeshiva University
Content
Introduction ; Chapter 1 - Statements of Principle and Methodology ; Chapter 2 - Rabbinic Interpretation as a "Necessity" ; Chapter 3 - Polarized Comments ; Chapter 4 - Confluence of Alternative Exegetical Modes ; Chapter 5 - Challenges to Rabbinic Aggadic Statements ; Chapter 6 - Rejection of Rabbinic Legal Statements ; Conclusion ; Appendix: Complexity of Rabbinic Comments and Radak's Analysis ; Bibliography ; Index of Radak's comments ; Index of references to rabbinic literature