Halevy, Halivni and The Oral Formation of the Babylonian Talmud Ari Bergmann Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 2014 © 2014 Ari Bergmann All rights reserved ABSTRACT Halevy, Halivni and The Oral Formation of the Babylonian Talmud Ari Bergmann This dissertation is dedicated to a detailed analysis and comparison of the theories on the process of the formation of the Babylonian Talmud by Yitzhak Isaac Halevy and David Weiss Halivni. These two scholars exhibited a similar mastery of the talmudic corpus and were able to combine the roles of historian and literary critic to provide a full construct of the formation of the Bavli with supporting internal evidence to support their claims. However, their historical construct and findings are diametrically opposed. Yitzhak Isaac Halevy presented a comprehensive theory of the process of the formation of the Talmud in his magnum opus Dorot Harishonim. The scope of his work was unprecedented and his construct on the formation of the Talmud encompassed the entire process of the formation of the Bavli, from the Amoraim in the 4th century to the end of the saboraic era (which he argued closed in the end of the 6th century). Halevy was the ultimate guardian of tradition and argued that the process of the formation of the Bavli took place entirely within the amoraic academy by a highly structured and coordinated process and was sealed by an international rabbinical assembly. While Halevy was primarily a historian, David Weiss Halivni is primarily a talmudist and commentator on the Talmud itself. Halivni offers his bold construct of the history of the formation of the Bavli in the context of his commentary Meqorot Umesorot, which spans almost the entire Babylonian Talmud. Halivni explains the process of the formation of the Bavli as taking place well after amoraic times in a massive unstructured process of reconstruction. This dissertation will demonstrate that both of the theories of Halevy and Halivni are in need of careful analysis and revision. Halevy’s construct despite providing valuable scholarly insights is tainted by a strong ideological agenda. On the other hand, Halivni, as a literary critic, provides insightful literary analysis and his conclusions on the uniqueness of the stam have been firmly established in contemporary scholarship. However, when analyzing Halivni’s theory one must distinguish between his literary conclusions and his historical construct. The later is a constantly evolving theory, and it has presented numerous problems as it has developed over time, mainly in the introductions to Meqorot Umesorot. The body of this dissertation consists of three chapters, each focusing on a different model for the formation of the Bavli. Chapter One focuses on Halevy, beginning with his biography and continuing with an in-depth analysis of the scope and purpose of his Dorot Harishonim and the ideological import of his research. The second chapter addresses the theory of Halivni on the formation of the Bavli. After a biographical sketch of Halivni’s life, I review the scope and purpose of Meqorot Umesorot with a special emphasis on his scholarship ki’peshuto, followed by a detailed analysis of his model and the evidence he offers in support of it. The third chapter proposes an alternative model for the formation of the Talmud which combines aspects of Halevy’s and Halivni’s theories. I propose a model that includes a fixed oral text, accompanied by an oral fluid commentary. This dual form of transmission accounts for the diverse structure and style of the apodictic material and the dialectical interpretative argumentation of the stam. The fixed apodictic text, the proto-Talmud follows the basic contour of Halevy’s model, while the understanding of the stam follows many aspects of Halivni’s description of the reconstruction of the dialectical argumentation by the Stammaim. By applying form criticism to determine the Sitz im Leben of talmudic transmission and teaching, combined with recent scholarship on the various forms of oral transmission, I propose a framework which allows for a developmental model which integrates the perceptive historical insights of Halevy with Halivni’s literary findings. TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgments iii Dedication vi Introduction 1 The Talmud 1 The Formation of the Talmud 3 The Historical Accounts 6 Orality and the Talmud 25 A Note on Translation of Text 30 Chapter One: Y.I.Halevy and Dorot Harishonim: The Traditional View 31 Biographical Sketch 31 Dorot Harishonim: Scope and Purpose 49 Orthodox Wissenschaft 49 Rav Kook and the Apologetic Agenda 69 Scholarship 74 The Formation of the Talmud 78 The Initial Stages—The Disciple Circles, Abaye and Rava 78 The Third Stage—Rav Ashi and the Beit Hava’ad 96 The Post Rav Ashi Activities 111 The Fourth Stage and the Early Saboraim 119 The Later Saboraim 130 Conclusion 143 i Chapter Two: Halivni and Meqorot Umesorot: The Contemporary View 149 Biographical Sketch 149 Meqorot Umesorot: Scope and Purpose 167 Scholarship ki’peshuto 167 The Stammaim 185 The Formation of the Talmud 210 The Amoraic Era 210 The Stammaitic Era 222 Conclusion 249 Chapter Three: Orality and the Two Voices of the Talmud: An Intermediate Model 255 The Oral Matrix of the Talmud 255 The Dynamics of Oral Transmission 270 The Two Voices of the Talmud 278 Halevy versus Halivni 298 Conclusion 303 Bibliography 307 Appendix: Synoptic Sugyot 325 ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS While a dissertation has only one author, a scholar is the product of the wisdom and generosity of many. Since I joined Columbia University nine years ago, I have benefited most of all from my guide and mentor Professor David Weiss Halivni. I still remember the first day I attended his class, his Critical Formation of Talmudic Texts; it was then when I realized that I had found a new teacher and guide. Over the years, Professor Halivni has been a constant source of inspiration and guidance, both as a scholar and teacher and also as a mensch. Over the past five years our relationship has extended beyond the walls of the university, across the oceans, to our weekly learning sessions. His unparalleled breadth of knowledge and mastery of all of rabbinic literature, as well as his keen literary insights, are generously shared with any student or colleague who seeks his wisdom. He has been a great influence on my life and my thinking. I hope that the mark he has left on me is visible in these pages. I owe an immeasurable debt to the faculty and colleagues at the Department of Religion at Columbia. The inspiring and enlightening classes, seminars and discussions have greatly broadened my horizons and deeply impacted my views. Professor Alan Segal, my first advisor whose untimely passing saddened us all, was an inspiring and dedicated counselor. His classes and seminars were amazingly enjoyable events. During my first years as a student at Columbia’s Liberal Arts program, I had the privilege to study under the guidance of my MA advisor, Professor Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi. Anyone who ever attended one of his seminars knows that it was an unforgettable experience. His vast knowledge, eloquence and wisdom, both as a teacher and advisor, have profoundly impacted my ideas and outlook. I am grateful to have also iii developed a relationship with Professor Michael Stanislawski whose inspiring and challenging reading groups opened my eyes to new and challenging areas of Jewish studies and approaches. This dissertation has specifically benefited from the wisdom and generosity of many teachers, colleagues and friends who were kind enough to lend me their vast knowledge and to illuminate many places where my own vision and understanding failed. Special among them, however, is Aaron Amit, a friend and guide, whose insightful questions, comments and edits throughout the entire process have vastly improved my work. His dedication and commitment knew no bounds. This dissertation would not have been the same without his invaluable input. Zvi Septimus’ incisive ideas, comments, and edits also greatly broadened and improved my project. I look forward to many years of enjoyable study sessions together. David Samuels and Cara Rock-Singer read portions of this dissertation and their valuable comments have added a much valuable dimension. I also wish to thank Professors Robert Somerville, Michael Stanislawski, Beth Berkowitz and Jeffrey L. Rubenstein for graciously serving on my committee and for their advice and encouragement throughout. The period of research and writing a dissertation is long and stressful, often requiring the understanding, support and indulgence of family and friends. I have been blessed with children and grandchildren who have been a great source of inspiration, joy and motivation. Their cheering and participation have made this entire journey that much more enjoyable. My father was my first and deepest source of inspiration. I regret that he is not here to enjoy this moment. I am sure that he would have much appreciated and cherished my endeavor. My mother’s belief and faith in her children has given me the confidence to embark upon such an arduous journey. My father in law, Jacob Dolinger, has lovingly shared his wisdom and insight, and has encouraged and guided me from the beginning of my pursuit. My friends, associates and havrutot have all been an integral iv part of this process whose patience and understanding supported and strengthened my own work. The participants of my weekly Sabbath classes have provided me with the challenge and inspiration to develop many of the ideas presented in this dissertation. They are all true partners in my project. I would like to dedicate this dissertation to Iona, my wife and partner of the last 31 years.