Organisational Patterns in the Mishnah in Light of their Toseftan Parallels

This article examines the relationship between two sets of parallel chapters in theMishnah and Tosefta, uncovering phenomena which imply the primacy of the Tosefta over its mishnaic parallels. In the first chapter of Ketubbot the mishnaic editors deal simultaneously with the two subjects of the chapter, virginity claims and ketubbah size, thereby creating definitions of virginity which can be broadly applied. Furthermore, the editing of the mishnah paved the way for some halakhic modifications. In contrast, while the parallel toseftan passage also displays editorial organisation, its organisation is that of a simple list. It conveys information, but not the pedagogic agenda of the Mishnah. Mishnah Yebbamot 5 is a unique chapter of Mishnah whose editorial agenda was to explore the relationship between rabbinically innovative activities and those ordained by the Torah.While ostensibly providing halakhic information, theMishnah's editors place at the heart of the chapter a position which ascribes some efficacy to the innovations of the rabbis, while preserving the primacy of those institutions contained more explicitly in the Torah. In contrast, the Tosefta merely provides information as to the order in which the various acts of levirate marriage are performed, and does not offer any coherent ideological message

Business · Economics · Operations management · Parallels · Archaeology and Historical Studies · Islamic Studies and History · Jewish and Middle Eastern Studies

• What a discourse unit can teach us about the relationship between the Mishnah and Tosefta

  Open Access•Rivka Shemesh-Raiskin•Bulletin of the School of…•2023

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