Critical edition of the Midrash Aleph Beth, with an English translation, commentary and introduction

Abstract

Midrash Aleph Beth belongs to the post-Talmudic collection of Jewish midrashim. Its structure and subject matter are centred on the Hebrew alphabet which provides sequential pairs of letters for the theme of each chapter. In the first part, the Midrash progresses from the first letter of the alphabet to the last, and its subject is the story of the universe from its creation to its destruction at the end of time. In the second and third parts, using different combinations of the alphabet, the story is told of the judgment and annihilation of all God's enemies in the heavens and on the earth. In the final part, a fourth combination of the alphabet is introduced to describe life in the World to Come for the righteous remnant of Israel.

In this Midrash we encounter' ideas and beliefs that can be found in similar or parallel form scattered throughout Jewish midrashic Iiterature. It is an extremely useful text in that most Jewish thought from the first millennium of the common era concerning cosmology and eschatology is here collected together in one work. In presenting an orthodox account of Jewish thought on these subjects, heterodox ideas, questioningt for example, the supremacy of God and his role as sale creator of the universe, are included to be proved erroneous. Hence the Midrash is in effect a significant depository of both Jewish heterodoxy and orthodoxy.

An edition of Midrash Aleph Beth, based on the one extant manuscript was published by S. A. Wertheimer and subsequently reprinted with minor emendations by A. J. Wertheimer, but it has not hitherto been translated into any modern language. These editions are highly inaccurate with many differences from the manuscript, some of which seem to be deliberate alterations for dogmatic reasons. It is shown in this thesis to have no value as a basis for scholarly study.

The thesis presents a critical edition of the text (making use of, but not relying on the previous editions), accompanied by an English translation. An introduction and commentary attempt to explain the contents of the Midrash and place it in its textual and historical context, taking into account the most recent debates concerning the nature and function of Jewish midrash.