Sifre Deuteronomy

This exegetical midrash on Deuteronomy, compiled in the third to fourth centuries CE and attributed to the school of R. Akiva, has a halakhic core (sections 53–303), which is preceded and followed by aggadic material of possible Ishmaelian provenance. Piska 32 reflects on loving God even in times of suffering (see b. Berakhot 60b–61a and Genesis Rabbah 9:7–9). Piskas 152–154 interpret Deuteronomy 17:7–11 concerning the procedure to be followed in difficult legal cases and ground the rabbis’ own authority in the biblical text. Finally, the lengthy interpretation of Deuteronomy 33:2 in piska 343 contains vivid images of the nations’ rejection of the Torah and, in turn, God’s future rejection of the nations.