The exegetical method of Rabbi Yosef Kara with regard to the Prophetic Books
Among the Jewish sages of northern France, the twelfth century saw a shift from Talmudic study and the midrashic exegesis of a few Biblical books to a methodical peshat interpretation of the whole Bible. Rabbi Yosef Kara, a man of wonderfully independent mind, was a leading figure in this movement. He (not Rashi) was the first true peshat commentator, and this thesis demonstrates that his commentary displays many features which have become the cornerstones of modern exegesis, especially in its stress upon context, comparison and realia and its articulation of exegetical principles. Only Kara's commentary on Job has to date received critical attention. This thesis analyses his commentary on the entire Book of Prophets: Joshua, Judges, III Samuel, I-II Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the Twelve Minor Prophets. His innovatory emphasis upon peshat and general rejection of derash are discussed in Chapter 1, with his stress upon textual environment (hibbur ha-mikraoth) and continuous attention to the links between topics. Chapter 2 deals with the style and terminology of his exegetical approach; use of verses and of vernacular languages; literary analyses of Biblical style; manner of resolving contradictions;
Ganiel, Drori
Philosophy
The exegetical method of Rabbi Yosef Kara with regard to the Prophetic Books. Among the Jewish sages of northern France, the twelfth century saw a shift from Talmudic study and the midrashic exegesis of a few Biblical books to a methodical peshat interpretation of the whole Bible. Rabbi Yosef Kara, a man of wonderfully independent mind, was a leading figure in this movement. He (not Rashi) was the first true peshat commentator, and this thesis demonstrates that his commentary displays many features which have become the cornerstones of modern exegesis, especially in its stress upon context, comparison and realia and its articulation of exegetical principles. Only Kara's commentary on Job has to date received critical attention. This thesis analyses his commentary on the entire Book of Prophets: Joshua, Judges, III Samuel, I-II Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the Twelve Minor Prophets. His innovatory emphasis upon peshat and general rejection of derash are discussed in Chapter 1, with his stress upon textual environment (hibbur ha-mikraoth) and continuous attention to the links between topics. Chapter 2 deals with the style and terminology of his exegetical approach; use of verses and of vernacular languages; literary analyses of Biblical style; manner of resolving contradictions;
exegetical_method regard prophetic books among jewish northern_france saw shift talmudic study exegesis biblical book interpretation whole bible man independent mind leading figure movement rashi first true commentator demonstrate commentary display many feature become cornerstone modern exegesis especially stress upon context comparison articulation exegetical principle commentary job date receive critical_attention analysis commentary entire book prophets judges iii kings isaiah jeremiah ezekiel twelve minor prophets innovatory emphasis_upon general rejection discuss stress upon textual environment continuous attention link topic deal style terminology exegetical use verse vernacular_language literary_analysis biblical style manner resolve contradiction