Sifre Deuteronomy

Sifre Deuteronomy 32, 152–154, 343

3rd or 4th Century

Sifre Deuteronomy 32

Furthermore, one should rejoice more in chastisement than in prosperity. For if one is prosperous all his life, no sin of his will be forgiven. What brings him forgiveness of sins? Suffering. R. Eliezer ben Jacob says: Scripture says: Whom God loves He chastens, even as the father chastens the son of whom he is fond (Proverbs 3…

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About 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.

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Sifre Deuteronomy