Abstract

Abstract This article reads Bavli Ta’anit against the foil of “Plato’s Pharmacy” by Jacques Derrida. This is not about finding genetic or generic similarities between the dialogues of Plato and the Talmud. Rather it is about following (in Derrida’s way) the chain of metaphoric/metonymic significations and dual oppositions. The tractate is built on dual oppositions between gloom and gladness. In this world, the righteous are destined for the light, while the upright are destined for the gladness. Hence, the former are deprived of the gladness, while the latter have no light. In meta-history, teleology finds its way though the Hegelian sublation of oppositions. Gladness is the telos of the tractate and the telos of meta-history.

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call