Mekhilta le-Sefer Devarim

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The Mekhilta le-Sefer Devarim (

in discussing most of the commandments. Maimonides probably knew, therefore, merely through an old tradition which he had heard that such a midrash by R. Ishmael existed.

Evidence in favor of its existence

But there are other circumstances which prove that there was once such a work. Many midrashic

.

This work, which was called also "Mekhilta," disappeared at an early date, and was therefore unknown to the medieval authors. The editor of the

Sanh.

2:6.

Hoffmann's collection of extracts from the Mekhilta includes also many quotations from

J. Q. R.

Jewish Encyclopedia bibliography

• D. Hoffmann, Zur Einleitung in die Halachischen Midraschim, p. 77, Berlin, 1887;
• idem, Ueber eine Mechilta zu Deuteronomium, in Jubelschrift zum Siebzigsten Geburtstag des Dr.
  Isr. Hildesheimer
  , German part, pp. 83–98, Berlin, 1890.

References

External links

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Isidore Singer and Jacob Zallel Lauterbach (1901–1906). "Mekilta le-Sefer Devarim". In Singer, Isidore; et al. (eds.). The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.