Mekhilta of Rabbi Ishmael

According to Steven Fine, both Sifra and the Mekhilta I. were concerned with the sanctification of early study houses after the destruction of the Second Temple.^[1]

Authorship

The author or

In 1968, Wacholder placed the composition of the Mekhilta in 8th-century Egypt^[15] whereas Neusner has stated he does not think there are firm methods for dating the text.^[16] In more recent work, the consensus has shifted to a significantly earlier date,^[17][18] with Stemberger, Kahane and others dating the final compilation to the third century.^[19][20][21] The earliest tractate contained within it, Neziqin, may be earlier still.^[17]

Structure

The Mekhilta begins with Exodus 12, this being the first legal section found in Exodus. That this is the beginning is shown by the

1. "Massekta de-Pesah", covering the pericope "Bo", Exodus 12:1–13:16, and containing an introduction, "petikta," and 18 sections.
2. "Massekta de-Vayehi Beshalach" , Exodus 13:17–14:31, containing an introduction and 6 sections.
3. "Massekta de-Shirah," (quoted as "Shirah"), Exodus 15:1–21, containing 10 sections.
4. "Massekta de-Vayassa," (quoted as "Vayassa"), Exodus 15:22–17:7, containing 6 sections.
5. "Massekta de-Amalek", consisting of two parts:
   1. the part dealing with Amalek (quoted as "Amalek"), Exodus 17:8–16, containing 2 sections.
   2. the beginning of the pericope "Yitro" (quoted as "Yitro"), Exodus 18:1–27, containing 2 sections.
6. "Massekta de-Bahodesh," (quoted as "Bahodesh"), Exodus 19:1–20,26, containing 11 sections.
7. "Massekta de-Nezikin," Exodus 21:1–22:23. (see next)
8. "Massekta de-Kaspa," Exodus 22:24–23:19; these last two messektot, which belong to the pericope "Mishpatim" contain 20 sections consecutively numbered, and are quoted as "Mishpatim"
9. "Massekta de-Shabbeta", containing 2 sections:
   1. covering the pericope "Ki Tissa", Exodus 31:12–17
   2. covering the pericope "Vayakhel" (quoted as "Vayakhel"), Exodus 35:1–3

The Mekhilta comprises altogether 77, or, if the two introductions be included, 79 sections. All the editions, however, state at the end that there are 82 sections.^[23]

Aggadic elements

Although the redactor intended to produce a

The Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmud do not mention this work; the Sifra and the Sifre do not mention it either.^[34] However, one passage^[35] in the extant version of the Mekhilta, Mishpatim may know of it in the following reference: "R. Josiah showed a Mekhilta from which he cited and explained a sentence." The text quoted by R. Josiah can be found.^[36] There is some controversy over whether the word "mekhilta" refers to the work under consideration, or a baraita collection that might also be designated as a mekhilta.^[37]

On the other hand, this midrash, apparently in written form, is mentioned several times in the Talmud under the title She'ar Sifre debe Rav "The Other Books of the Schoolhouse".

Another geonic responsum refers to the text as the Mekhilta of Palestine,[43] probably to distinguish it from the Mekhilta of Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai, which was generally known in the Babylonian academies.^[44]

Translations

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

See also

• Midrash
• Mekhilta of Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai
• Mekhilta le-Sefer Devarim

References