The halacha in the Targum to the Torah attributed to Yonatan ben Uzziel
The halachic interpolations and expansions in Targum Pseudo-Jonathan are derived either from the Targumist's independent reasoning, or from his use of rabbinic traditions and compilations. All the halachic material can be classified in one of three ways: 1) that which is intended to clarify the meaning of the Masoretic text; 2) material which results from Midrashic and exegetical techniques; 3) material which explains how a particular law was carried out. The Targumist made significant use of Mishnah, Mechilta, Sifra, Sin ei Numbers and a text similar to Midrash Tannaim. There is also regular use of Halachic Targumic Traditions. There is no evidence of use of Pirkei d'Rabbi Eliezer. A few halachic comments were identified which cannot be attributed to any known rabbinic source, and which do not seem to have been derived independently. The number of these comments is no more than one would expect to find in a Palestinian work of this period. We suggest that when the Targumist used his independent reasoning, this was either because he did not have relevant rabbinic material available, or because he felt that the information presented by the sources was inadequate for his purposes. Once the Targumist's techniques
Freedman, Harris Samuel
Pseudo-Jonathan; Targumist; Halachot; Rabbinic
The halacha in the Targum to the Torah attributed to Yonatan ben Uzziel. The halachic interpolations and expansions in Targum Pseudo-Jonathan are derived either from the Targumist's independent reasoning, or from his use of rabbinic traditions and compilations. All the halachic material can be classified in one of three ways: 1) that which is intended to clarify the meaning of the Masoretic text; 2) material which results from Midrashic and exegetical techniques; 3) material which explains how a particular law was carried out. The Targumist made significant use of Mishnah, Mechilta, Sifra, Sin ei Numbers and a text similar to Midrash Tannaim. There is also regular use of Halachic Targumic Traditions. There is no evidence of use of Pirkei d'Rabbi Eliezer. A few halachic comments were identified which cannot be attributed to any known rabbinic source, and which do not seem to have been derived independently. The number of these comments is no more than one would expect to find in a Palestinian work of this period. We suggest that when the Targumist used his independent reasoning, this was either because he did not have relevant rabbinic material available, or because he felt that the information presented by the sources was inadequate for his purposes. Once the Targumist's techniques
attribute expansion pseudo derive either independent reasoning use rabbinic tradition compilation material classify way intend clarify meaning text material exegetical technique material explain particular law carry_out make_significant use sin text similar also regular use traditions evidence use comment identify attribute known rabbinic source seem derive independently number comment one_would expect palestinian work period suggest use independent reasoning either relevant rabbinic material_available felt information present source inadequate purpose technique