Abstract

Although the distinction between halakic and non-halakic texts is a basic distinction in the discourse analysis of the Tannaitic literature, and although that the observation of various types of texts can be found in the research of Mishnaic Hebrew, the research does not contain complete descriptions of the various types of texts. Part 2 of the article presents a continuum of seven types of texts in Tannaitic literature: formulation of law, halakic give-and-take, expounding on verse, wise saying, parable, ceremony description, and story.

The article is focused on the narrative text, which is defined in part 3. The sections of part 4 describe the features of two narrative discourse units in Tannaitic literature—the most common narrative discourse unit [inline-graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="03i" /] (Ma'aseh) and the unit [inline-graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="04i" /] (Pa'am Aḥat)—based on their four components: source, opening, story, and additions.

The source of the unit, that is, the Sage who tells the story, appears more often in the Pa'am Aḥat unit than in the Ma'aseh unit. An opening marker begins the two units, but only the [inline-graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="05i" /] marker underwent a process of fossilization. The story in both discourse units has halakic nature—a situation of a halakic ruling (in the Ma'aseh unit) and an event that is related to the preceding halakah or halakic opinion (in both units). At the end of both units sometimes appear additions of the following types: an opposing view, a conclusion, an explanation, and a continuation.

pdf

Share