From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rabbinic Literature

Talmudic literature Mishnah • Tosefta Jerusalem Talmud • Babylonian Talmud Minor tractates Halakhic Midrash Mekhilta de-Rabbi Yishmael (Exodus) Mekhilta de-Rabbi Shimon (Exodus) Sifra (Leviticus) Sifre (Numbers & Deuteronomy) Sifre Zutta (Numbers) Mekhilta le-Sefer Devarim (Deuteronomy) Aggadic Midrash —— Tannaitic —— Seder Olam Rabbah Baraita of Rabbi Ishmael Alphabet of Akiba ben Joseph Baraita of the Forty-nine Rules Baraita on the Thirty-two Rules Baraita on Tabernacle Construction —— 400–600 —— Genesis Rabbah • Eichah Rabbah Pesikta de-Rav Kahana Esther Rabbah • Midrash Iyyov Leviticus Rabbah • Seder Olam Zutta Midrash Tanhuma • Megillat Antiochus —— 650–900 —— Avot of Rabbi Natan Pirkei de-Rabbi Eliezer Tanna Devei Eliyahu Alphabet of Ben-Sira Kohelet Rabbah • Canticles Rabbah Devarim Rabbah • Devarim Zutta Pesikta Rabbati • Midrash Samuel Midrash Proverbs • Ruth Rabbah Baraita of Samuel • Targum sheni —— 900–1000 —— Ruth Zuta • Eichah Zuta Midrash Tehillim • Midrash Hashkem Exodus Rabbah • Canticles Zutta —— 1000–1200 —— Midrash Tadshe • Sefer ha-Yashar —— Later —— Yalkut Shimoni • Yalkut Makiri Midrash Jonah • Ein Yaakov Midrash ha-Gadol • Numbers Rabbah Smaller midrashim Rabbinic Targum —— Torah —— Targum Onkelos Targum Pseudo-Jonathan Fragment Targum • Targum Neofiti —— Nevi'im —— Targum Jonathan —— Ketuvim —— Targum Tehillim • Targum Mishlei Targum Iyyov Targum to the Five Megillot Targum Sheni to Esther Targum to Chronicles Responsa

Mekilta or Mekhilta (Hebrew: מכילתא) is the halakic midrash to the Book of Exodus. The name "Mekilta", which corresponds to the Hebrew "middah" (= "measure," "rule"), was given to this midrash because the Scriptural comments and explanations of the Law which it contains are based on fixed rules of Scriptural exegesis ("middot"; comp. Talmudical Hermeneutics). The halakic midrashim are in general called "middot," in contrast to the "halakot," or formulated laws; and an interpreter of the Midrash was termed "bar mekilan" = "a man of the rules" (Lev. R. iii.).

Contents 1 First Mention 2 Mekilta of R. Ishmael 3 Quotations in the Talmud 4 Structure 5 Haggadic Elements 6 English Editions 7 References 8 See also 9 External links

Neither the Babylonian Talmud nor the Jerusalem Talmud mentions this work under the name "Mekilta," nor does the word occur in any of the passages of the Talmud in which the other halakic midrashim, Sifra and Sifre, are named (Ḥag. 3a; Ḳid. 49b; Ber. 47b; etc.). It seems to be intended, however, in one passage (Yer. Ab. Zarah iv. 8), which runs as follows: "R. Josiah showed a mekilta from which he cited and explained a sentence." His quotation actually occurs in the Mekilta, "Mishpaṭim" (ed. I.H. Weiss, p. 106b). It is not certain, however, whether the word "mekilta" here refers to the work under consideration; for it possibly alludes to a baraita collection—which might also be designated a "mekilta" (comp. Pes. 48a; Tem. 33a; Giṭ. 44a)—containing the sentence in question.

On the other hand, this midrash, apparently in written form, is mentioned several times in the Talmud under the title "She'ar Sifre debe Rab" = "The Other Books of the Schoolhouse" (Yoma 74a; B. B. 124b). A geonic responsum (A. Harkavy, Teshubot ha-Geonim, p. 31, No. 66, Berlin, 1888) in which occurs a passage from the Mekilta (ed. I.H. Weiss, p. 41a) likewise indicates that this work was known as "She'ar Sifre debe Rab." The first person to mention the Mekilta by name was the author of the Halakot Gedolot (p. 144a, ed. Warsaw, 1874). Another geonic responsum refers to it as the "Mekilta de-Ereẓ Yisrael" (A. Harkavy, l.c. p. 107, No. 229), probably to distinguish it from the Mekilta of R. Shimon bar Yochai, which was generally known in the Babylonian schools (D. Hoffmann, Zur Einleitung in die Halachischen Midraschim, p. 36).

Rabbinical Eras
Zugot Tannaim Amoraim Savoraim Geonim Rishonim Acharonim

The author, or more correctly the redactor, of the Mekilta can not be definitely ascertained. R. Nissim ben Jacob, in his Mafteaḥ (to Shab. 106b), and R. Samuel ha-Nagid, in his introduction to the Talmud, refer to it as the "Mekilta de-Rabbi Yishmael," thus ascribing the authorship to Ishmael. Maimonides likewise says in the introduction to his Yad ha-Ḥazaḳah: "R. Ishmael interpreted from 've'eleh shemot' to the end of the Torah, and this explanation is called 'mekilta.' R. Akiba also wrote a mekilta." This R. Ishmael, however, is neither an amora by the name of Ishmael, as Z. Frankel assumed (Introduction to Yerushalmi, p. 105b), nor Rebbi's contemporary, Rabbi Ishmael ben Jose, as Gedaliah ibn Yaḥya thought (Shalshelet ha-Ḳabbalah, p. 24a, Zolkiev, 1804). He is, on the contrary, identical with R. Ishmael ben Elisha, R. Akiba's contemporary, as is shown by the passage of Maimonides quoted above.

The present Mekilta cannot, however, be the one composed by R. Ishmael, as is proved by the references in it to R. Ishmael's pupils and to other later tannaim. Both Maimonides and the author of the Halakot Gedolot, moreover, refer, evidently on the basis of a tradition, to a much larger mekilta extending from Ex. i. to the end of the Pentateuch, while the midrash here considered discusses only certain passages of Exodus. It must be assumed, therefore, that R. Ishmael composed an explanatory midrash to the last four books of the Pentateuch, and that his pupils amplified it (M. Friedmann, Einleitung in die Mechilta, pp. 64, 73; Hoffmann, l.c. p. 73).

A later editor, intending to compile a halakic midrash to Exodus, took R. Ishmael's work on the book, beginning with ch. xii., since the first eleven chapters contained no references to the Law (Friedmann, l.c. p. 72; Hoffmann, l.c. p. 37). He even omitted passages from the portion which he took, but, by way of compensation, he incorporated much material from the other halakic midrashim, Sifra, R. Shimon bar Yochai's Mekilta, and the Sifre to Deuteronomy. Since the last two works were from a different source, he generally designated them by the introductory phrase, "dabar aḥar" = "another explanation," placing them after the sections taken from R. Ishmael's midrash. But the redactor based his work on the midrash of R. Ishmael's school, and the sentences of R. Ishmael and his pupils constitute the larger part of his Mekhilta. Similarly, most of the anonymous maxims in the work were derived from the same source, so that it also was known as the "Mekhilta of Rabbi Ishmael." The redactor must have been a pupil of Rebbi, since the latter is frequently mentioned (comp. Abraham ibn Daud in Sefer HaKabbalah in A. Neubauer, M. J. C., p.57, Oxford, 1887, who likewise ascribes it to a pupil of Rebbi).

He cannot, however, have been R. Hoshaiah, as A. Epstein assumes (Beiträge zur Jüdischen Alterthumbskunde, p.55, Vienna, 1887), as might be inferred from Abraham ibn Daud's reference, for Hoshaiah is mentioned in the Mekhilta (ed. Weiss, p.60b). Abba Arika (Rab) therefore probably redacted the work, as Menahem ibn Zerah says in the preface to Zedah la-Derek (p.14b). Rab, however, did not do this in Babylonia, as I.H. Weiss assumes (Einleitung in die Mechilta, p.19), but in Palestine, taking it after its compilation to Babylonia, so that it was called "Mekhilta de-Eretz Yisrael".)

Baraitot from the Mekhilta are introduced in the Babylonian Talmud by the phrases "Tana debe R. Yishmael" = "It was taught in the school of R. Ishmael," and in the Jerusalem Talmud and the haggadic midrashim by "Teni R. Yishmael" = "R. Ishmael taught". Yet there are many baraitot in the Talmud which contain comments on Book of Exodus, and which are introduced by the phrase "Tana debe R. Yishmael," but which are not included in the Mekhilta under discussion. These must have been included in R. Ishmael's original Mekhilta, and the fact that they are omitted in this midrash is evidence that its redactor excluded many of the passages from R. Ishmael's work (comp. D. Hoffman, l.c. p.42).

The Mekilta begins with Ex. xii, this being the first leagal section found in Exodus. That this is the beginning of the Mekhilta is shown by the Aruk s.v. טמא, and by the Seder Tannaim v'Amoraim (ed. S.D. Luzzatto, p.12, Prague 1839). In like manner R. Nissim proves in his Mafteach (to Shab. 106b) that the conclusion of the Mekhilta which he knew corresponded with that of the Mekhilta now extant. In printed editions the Mekhilta is divided into nine "massektot," each of which is further subdivided into "parshiyyot". The nine massektot are as follows:

1. "Massekta de-Pesha", covering the pericope "Bo" (quoted as "Bo"), Ex. xii.1–xiii.16, and containing an introduction, "petikta," and 18 sections.
2. "Massekta de-Vayehi Beshallah," (quoted as "Besh."), ib., xiii.17–xiv.31, containing an introduction and 6 sections.
3. "Massekta de-Shirah," (quoted as "Shir"), ib., xv.1–21, containing 10 sections.
4. "Massekta de-Vayassah," (quoted as "Vay."), ib., xv.22–xvii.7, containing 6 sections.
5. "Massekta de-Amalek", consisting of two parts:
   1. the part dealing with Amalek (quoted as "Am."), ib., xvii.8–16, containing 2 sections.
   2. the beginning of the pericope "Yitro" (quoted as "Yitro"), ib., xviii.1–27, containing 2 sections.
6. "Massekta de-Bahodesh," (quoted as "Bah."), ib., xix.1–20, 26, containing 11 sections.
7. "Massekta de-Nezikin," ib., xxi.1–xxii.23. (see next)
8. "Massekta de-Kaspa," ib., xxii.24–xxiii.19; these last two messektot, which belong to the pericope "Mishpatim" contain 20 sections consecutively numbered, and are quoted as "Mish."
9. "Massekta de-Shabbeta", contahinign 2 sections:
   1. covering the pericope "Ki Tissa" (quoted as "Ki"), ib., xxxi.12–17
   2. covering the pericope "Vayakhel" (quoted as "Vayak"), ib., xxxv.1–3

The Mekhilta comrises altogether 77, or, if the two introductions be included, 79 sections. All the editions, however, state at the end that there are 82 sections (comp. I.H. Weiss l.c. p.28; M. Friedmann, l.c. pp.78–80).

Although the redactor intended to produce a halachik midrash to Book of Exodus, the larger portion of the Mekhilta is haggadic in character. From Ex. xii. the midrash was continued without interruption as far as Ex. xxxiii.19, i.e., to the conclusion of the chief laws of the book, although there are many narrative portions scattered through this section whose midrash belongs properly to the aggadah. Furthermore, many haggadot are included in the legal sections as well.

The halakhic exegesis of the Mekhilta, which is found chiefly in the messektot "Bo.", "Bah", and "Mish." and in the sections "Ki" and "Vayak", is, as the name "mekhilta" indicates, based on the application of the middot according to R. Ishmael's system and method of teaching. In like manner, the introductory formulas and the technical terms are borrowed from his midrash (comp. D. Hoffmann l.c. pp.43–44). On the other hand, there are many explanations and expositions of the Law which follow the simpler methods of exegesis found in the earlier halakha (comp. Midrash Halakha.)

The haggadic expositions in the Mekhilta, which are found chiefly in "Beshallah" and "Yitro" are in part actual exegesis, but the majority of them are merely interpretations of Scripture to illustrate certain ethical and moral tenets. Parables are frequently introduced in connection with these interpretations (e.g., "Bo" ed. Weiss p.1b, "Besh" pp.36a,b, 37a) as well as proverbs (e.g., "Bo" p.2b, "Vay" p.60b) and maxims (e.g., the apothegm of the ancient Zekenim, "Besh" p.62b, "Shir" p.46b). Especially noteworthy are the haggadot relating to the battles of the Ephraimites ("Besh" p.28b) and to Serah, Asher's daughter, who showed Joseph's coffin to Moses (ib p.29a), besides others, which are based on old tales and legends.

It must also be noted that some of the tannaim mentioned in the Mekhilta are referred to only here and in Sifre Num., which likewise originated with R. Ishmael's school (comp. D. Hoffmann l.c., pp.38–39). On the earlier editions of the Mekhilta and the commentaries to it see I.H. Weiss, l.c., pp.25–26, and M. Friedmann, l.c., pp.12–14.

• Lauterbach, Jacob Z. (1933/1961), written at Philadelphia, Mekilta de-Rabbi Ishmael: A Critical Edition on the Basis of the Manuscripts and Early Editions with an English Translation, Introduction, and Notes, Jewish Publication Society.

In this work Rabbi Ishmael, astoundingly, offers a unique and NON-DIETARY interpretation of the famous thrice-given command (twice in Exodus and once in Deuteronomy) which reads: "You shall not boil a kid in its mother's milk." Rabbi Ishmael's "drash" on this command (pages 187 in Lauterbach) is the opening attempt to decide what the halakhic inferences should be, if any, for this strange command. Rabbi Ishmael claims that the thrice-written command should be taken simply as a memorialization of three historical events when the Jewish people affirmed their fidelity to the Covenant. The discussion of this thrice-given command by EVERY OTHER COLLEAGUE involves dietary inferences based on this command. In the book "The Forbidden Relations and the Early Tannaim" [John W.McGinley, 2007; ISBN: 0-595-42843-6] there is an extended analysis of this whole section of the Mekilta and its implications for the halakhah.

• This article incorporates text from the 1901–1906 Jewish Encyclopedia, a publication now in the public domain.
• John W McGinley. "The Written" as the Vocation of Conceiving Jewishly. ISBN 059540488X

• Midrash
• Mekhilta de Rabbi Shim'on
• Mekhilta leSefer Debarim

• Jewish Encyclopedia article for Mekhilta , by Isidore Singer and Jacob Zallel Lauterbach