Abstract

Genesis was an anomaly for the rabbis, who were masters of Jewish law. It was not until the first half of the fifth century, that a major collection of rabbinic commentary on the book, Genesis Rabbah (Gen. Rab.), was redacted. This chapter examines representative interpretations of Genesis in rabbinic literature. Its scope precludes an exhaustive survey, as rabbinic literature on Genesis begins in the early third century and extends to this very day. Where possible, highlights from the varieties of rabbinic exegeses and commentaries will be considered. In general the survey will consider selections from significant rabbinic texts and commentaries on Genesis. Among the representative topics and characters surveyed will be rabbinic cosmologies (Gen 1:1-2:4), Adam and Eve (Gen 1:26-3:24), Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac (Gen 21-22), Jacob/Israel (Gen 25:19-50), and Joseph (Gen 37-50). The order of Genesis will be followed and each selection will examine texts from the rabbinic corpus. Keywords:Abraham; Adam; Genesis; Isaac; Jacob/Israel; Jewish law; Rabbinic Interpretation; rabbis

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