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In Jewish tradition What is the problem with interpreting the Hebrew Bible literally?
Galileedawn
The Hebrew Bible has always been handed down with its oral interpretation. For example, "An eye for an eye" (Exodus ch.21) has always meant monetary compensation (Talmud, Bava Kama 83b).
"An ox or a donkey falling into a pit" (Exodus 22) has always been understood as examples meant to allude to all animals (Talmud, Bava Kama 52).
"God's eyes" (Deuteronomy 11:12), and similar anthropomorphic expressions, have always been interpreted as not meaning physical things or actual organs (Rashi commentary on Exodus 19:18).
The Song of Songs has always been seen as an allegory of God's love, not referring to any young couple at all (Rashi commentary, Talmud Berakhot 57b).
A too-literal understanding of the Hebrew Bible would be liable to contravene these and thousands of other such oral traditions.
Even where the simple meaning of the verse may be taken as is, interpreting it only as such will cause one to lose the vast repository of information contained in the Oral Torah. For example, what kind of man was Nimrod the hunter (Genesis ch.10)? Why is his hunting mentioned?
What are the frontlets (Deuteronomy ch.6)?
Why did God choose Abraham and Moses? Wasn't that arbitrary?
What exactly was the blessing that was pronounced in Exodus 39:43?
The answers to these and tens of thousands of other such questions are to be found in the Jewish traditions.
Wiki User
∙ 6y ago
Wiki User
∙ 6y agoThe Hebrew Bible has always been handed down with its oral interpretation. For example, "An eye for an eye" (Exodus ch.21) has always meant monetary compensation (Talmud, Bava Kama 83b).
"An ox or a donkey falling into a pit" (Exodus 22) has always been understood as examples meant to allude to all animals (Talmud, Bava Kama 52).
"God's eyes" (Deuteronomy 11:12), and similar anthropomorphic expressions, have always been interpreted as not meaning physical things or actual organs (Rashi commentary on Exodus 19:18).
The Song of Songs has always been seen as an allegory of God's love, not referring to any young couple at all (Rashi commentary, Talmud Berakhot 57b).
A too-literal understanding of the Hebrew Bible would be liable to contravene these and thousands of other such oral traditions.
Even where the simple meaning of the verse may be taken as is, interpreting it only as such will cause one to lose the vast repository of information contained in the Oral Torah. For example, what kind of man was Nimrod the hunter (Genesis ch.10)? Why is his hunting mentioned?
What are the frontlets (Deuteronomy ch.6)?
Why did God choose Abraham and Moses? Wasn't that arbitrary?
What exactly was the blessing that was pronounced in Exodus 39:43?
The answers to these and tens of thousands of other such questions are to be found in the Jewish traditions.
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How is Hebrew theatre tied in with Hebrew culture?
There is no tradition of Hebrew theatre in Hebrew Culture. Jews of Europe had a tradition of Yiddish theatre, but Yiddish is completely unrelated to Hebrew.There is no tradition of Hebrew theatre in Hebrew Culture. Jews of Europe had a tradition of Yiddish theatre, but Yiddish is completely unrelated to Hebrew.
What are the five lost Hebrew bibles?
There is no tradition of five lost Hebrew Bibles.There is no tradition of five lost Hebrew Bibles.
According to Jewish tradition which book of the Hebrew Bible is to be read with interpretation?
Every book of the Hebrew Bible has important classical commentaries, including brief statements of law or midrash which are scattered throughout the Talmud. Without these, many verses call for further clarification.
What is the true Jewish or Hebrew tradition of the folded napkin?
Nowhere can it be found because this is NOT a Hebrew tradition.
When did Hebrew theatre start?
There is no tradition among Jews of Hebrew theater. There is a tradition among European Jews of Yiddish theater, but that is completely unrelated.There is no tradition among Jews of Hebrew theater. There is a tradition among European Jews of Yiddish theater, but that is completely unrelated.
What year was Hebrew theater discovered?
There is no tradition of Hebrew theater, other than modern Hebrew theater, which began in Israel, around the year 1900.There is no tradition of Hebrew theater, other than modern Hebrew theater, which began in Israel, around the year 1900.
Was Noah Hebrew?
No he was not Hebrew, but Abrahamic tradition holds that Noah was an ancestor of the Hebrews.
What is the Hebrew word for mine?
"LEE"Literally, "to me".
What is the translation of the Hebrew words 'Ein Be'ad Mah'?
Ein Be'ad Mah' (אין בעד מה) = You're welcome.Note: Literally = "there isn't for what"
What literally means what is it in Hebrew?
what is it = mah zeh (מה זה)
What is the Hebrew meaning of crucified?
Only in Modern Hebrew. The word is tsulav (צולב) which literally means "crossed". Ancient Hebrew has no such concept.
What does the name Ellisha mean in Hebrew and in non-Jewish tradition?
Elisha = אֱלִישַׁע and it really means "My God is help" in the Hebrew language. There is no difference in meaning in non-Jewish tradition.
