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Rabbi Norman J. Cohen
Instructor

RABBINICS 263
A Study of Midrash Pirqei Rabbi Eliezer


The purpose of this course is to provide the student with an opportunity to gain in-depth 
knowledge of the style of the Narrative Midrashim, in general, and of Pirqei Rabbi Eliezer, in 
particular.  We will not only analyze selected passages from the main work of this genre of 
Midrash, PRE, but we will also read and discuss some of the key secondary works which deal 
with the questions pertaining to this volume.  In addition, though our main focus will be Pirqei 
Rabbi Eliezer, we will attempt to touch on some other narrative midrashic works as well.


1. COURSE REQUIREMENTS

a. Preparation of the required text assignments - Students must be ready to analyze in class any 
passage due on a particular day.  Text assignments are meant to provide each student with a 
chance to hone his/her own textual skills outside of class, as well as in the classroom.  It is 
recommended that groups of students work together in preparing text material and that the 
passage be prepared with an eye towards:  general comprehension, exegetic techniques and 
structural details, changes in the narrative line, possible sources and parallel versions, the major 
themes emphasized and the possible contextual factors which created them.

b. Collateral Readings - Required secondary literature is to be read PRIOR to the discussion of 
the related topics in class.  All students will be asked to participate in the class discussions.

c. Text Analysis - Students will be asked to analyze in-depth the starred(*) text assignment from 
Pirqei Rabbi Eliezer (Chapter 20) prior to study of this material in class. Analysis should entail 
consideration of (1) the major themes analyzed; (b) the thematic flow of the material and its 
editing; (3) the usage of the basic text from Genesis and the balance with midrashic material; and 
(4) possible sources used.  This written analysis is due when the text is studied in class.


d. Term Paper - The major requirement of the course is the preparation of a well thought-out, 
well-researched, and well-written essay which is due on December 31, 1998.  Select a biblical 
character, narrative (or part thereof, if it is too long), or event which is treated in Pirqei Rabbi 
Eliezer, but not covered in the textual assignments.  Analyze the passage from the point of view 
of the (1) motifs present and the major thematic thrusts; (2) possible sources of the PRE material 
(other rabbinics compilations, Aprocrypha-Pseudepigrapha, Dead Sea Scrolls, Christianity, 
Islamic works, etc.) and how this source material is utilized; (3) the nature of the editing of the 
material; and (4) possible contextual factors and parallels in the Islamic material which would 
account for the selection and shaping of the PRE material.  The papers should be approximately 
15 pages in length and your projected topics should be submitted to the instructor no later than 
December 1st.


2. COURSE OUTLINE

A. A General Overview: Introduction to the nature of the Narrative Midrashim; other possible 
early narrative compilations

1. Required Reading:

Y. Heinemann, Darkhei ha-Aggadah (Jerusalem, 1954), pp. 15-95
(SUMMARIZE MAIN POINTS)

G. Vermes, Scripture and Tradition in Judaism: Haggadic Studies (Leiden, 1973), pp 96-126


2. Recommended Works:

A. Wright, The Literary Genre Midrash (1967)

L. Zunz, Ha-Derashot be -Yisrael, trans. H. Albeck (Jerusalem, 1940), pp.58-80.

J. Fitzmyer, The Genesis Aprocryphon of Qumran Cave 1 (Rome, 1971)

N. Avigad and Y. Yadin, Introduction,	 A Genesis Apocyphon: A Scroll from the        

Wilderness of Judaea (Jerusalem, 1956), pp.7-39.

M. Lehmann, 1Q Genesis Apocryphon in the Light of the Targumim and Midrashim, Revue 

Qumran 1(1958): 249-63.

S. Zeitlin, The Book of Jubilees: Its Character and its Significance	, JQR 30 (1931): 1-31.

B. Bamberger, Philo and the Aggadah, HUCA 48(1977): 153-85.

S. Belkin, Midrash Philon ha-Alexandroni le-or Midrashei Erez Yisrael, Sura 4: 1-68


I. Heinemann, Darko shel Yosephus be-Teur Kadmoniyot ha-Yehudim, Zion 5(1931): 180-202

S. Rapaport, Agada und Exegese bei Flavius Josephus (Frankfurt a.M., 1930).

A. Schallit, Mavo,	 Kadmoniyot ha-Yehudim (Jerusalem, 1955), pp. XI - LXXXII.
Ben Zion Luria, Mavo,	 Megillat Taanit (Jerusalem, 1964), pp.9-84

3. Text Assignment

Genesis Aprocryphon columns 19-20 (Fitzmeyer Edition), pp 58-67.



B. Pirqei Rabbi Eliezer

1. Text Editions:

Printed Edition (Folio), with commentary of David Luria (Warsaw, 1852 reproduced Jerusalem, 
1963) 

Gerald Friedlander, Pirke-de Rabbi Eliezer (London, 1916; reprinted N.Y., 1981), translation and 
notes

C.M. Horowitz, Pirke de-Rabbi Eliezer, uncompleted manuscript of a critical text based upon 
collection of variants from 15 MSS; exists in 200 photocopies (Jerusalem, 1972).

M. Higger, Pirkei R. Eliezer	, Horev 8-10 (1944-48), a text based upon the Horowitz 
manuscript.

Pirkei Rabbi Eliezer (Eshkol Pub., 1973), 2 Vols., vocalized text


2. Required Readings:

J. Heinemann, Aggadot ve-Toldoteihen (Jerusalem, 1974), pp.181-99.

M. Herr, Pirkei de-Rabbi Eliezer, E.J. 13: 558-560.

H.L. Starck and G. Stermberger, Introduction to the Talmud and Midrash (Edenburgh, 1991, 
Fortress Press. 1996), pp 356-358




3. Recommended Works

L. Barth, The Ban and the Golden Plate	: Interpretation in Pirqe DRabbi Eliezer 38,	 in The 
Quest for Context and Meaning: Studies in Biblical Intertextuality in Honor of James A. Sanders, 
eds. Craig Stevens and Shemaryaha Talmon [Brill: Leiden, 1997], pp.625-640

Cambridge History of Islam, 2 Vols., ed. P.M. Holt (1970)

A. Guillaume, The Traditions of Islam: An Introduction to the of Hadith Literature

B. Heller, Relation of the Aggadah to Islamic Legends	, JQR 24:393-40 

B. Heller Muhammendanische und anti-Muhammedanische in den Pirke Rabbi Eliezer,	 MGWJ 
69 (1925): 47-54.

J. Robson, Hadith,	 Encyclopedia of Islam 3:23-28.

G. Friedlander, Introduction,	 Pirkei de-Rabbi Eliezer, pp. XVI - LVII

J. Heinemann, Ibbudei Aggadot Qedumot be-Ruah ha-Zeman be-Pirqe Rabbi Eliezer,	 in Simon 
Halkin Jubilee volume, eds B. Shakhevitch and M. Peri, pp. 321-343.

A. Schussman, Abrahams Visits to Ishmael; The Jewish Origen and Orientation (Hebrew) 
Tarbiz 49 (1979-80):325-345.

4. Text Assignments (drawn from the Printed Edition, Warsaw, 1852)
1. Chapters 1-2, pp. 1a-5a
2. Chapter 3, pp. 5a-9a
3. Chapter 14, pp. 32b-35a
4. Chapter 20, pp. 45b-48a
5. Chapter 26, pp.60b-62a
6. Chapter 30, pp. 66b-69a
7. Chapter 31, pp. 69a-72a
8. Chapter 37, pp.86a-87b
9. Chapter 43, pp. 101a-104a
10. Chapter 52, pp. 125a-126a



C. Later Narrative Midrashim: Seder Olam, Midrash Elle Ezkerah, Midrash al Petirat Aharon, 
Sefer ha-Yashar, etc.



1. Required Readings

H. Schwarzbaum, Jewish, Christian, Moslem and Falasha Legends of the Death of Aaron, the 
High Priest	, Fabula 5 (1962): 185-227.

Sefer Ha-Yashar	, E.J. Supplements, Minor Midrashim	

G. Vermes, Scripture and Tradition in Judaism, pp. 67-95.

2. Recommended Works:

J. Dan, Mavo	 Sefer ha-Yashar (Jerusalem, Bialik Institute, 1986), pp.7-34.

J. Dan, Ha-Sippur Ha-Ivri Bimei ha-Baynayim (Jerusalem, 1974), pp. 135-138.

J. Dan, Matai Nithaber Sefer ha-Yashar?	 in Sefer Ha Yovel lDov Sedan (Jerusalem, 1977), 
pp.105-110.

J. Eisenstein, Asarah Harugei Malkhut,  Ozar Midrashim, Vol. 2, pp.439-40.

L. Finkelstein, The Ten Martyrs	, Essays and Studies in the Memory of Linda Miller (N.Y., 
1938), pp, 29-55.

B. Mehlman, Midrash Petirat Aaron	, Journal of Reform Judaism 27 (1980): 49-58.

G. Schoenberg, Midrash Petirat Aharon: A Literary-Critical Analysis, Unpublished Rabbinic 
Dissertation (H.U.C.-J.I.R.), New York, 1981.

B. Ratner, Mavo,	 Midrash Seder Olam (Vilna, 1890; reprinted N.Y., 1966), pp.3-162.

J. Rosenthal, Seder Olam	, E.J. 14:1091-93.

M. Noah, The Book of Jashar (N.Y., 1840).


3. Text Assignments:

Midrash al Petirat Aharon (Eisenstein, Ozar Midrashim, Vol. 1, pp.12-15

Sefer ha-Yashar, (J. Dan Edition), pp. 62-86