Guide
What Is Pesikta de-Rav Kahana?
5th–7th Century
Redacted sometime between the fifth and seventh centuries CE, Pesikta de-Rav Kahana is one of the earliest homiletical midrashim and is composed of about thirty-three homilies. The content of the homilies is centered on the Torah portions and haftarot (readings from the biblical prophets) for festivals and special Sabbaths in the Palestinian tradition. The Aramaic title of the work can be translated as “the portion of R. Kahana,” but the identity of the rabbi to whom it is attributed is a matter of debate.
Related Primary Sources
Primary Source
Repentance
Pesikta de-Rav Kahana 24:7
Good and upright is the Lord because He instructs sinners in the way (Psalm 25:8). When Wisdom is asked, “The sinner—what is to be his punishment?” Wisdom answers: Evil pursues sinners (Proverbs 13:21…
Primary Source
A King Who Is Angry with His Wife
Pesikta de-Rav Kahana 1
I have come to my garden, my own, my bride (Song of Songs 5:1). R. Azariah said in the name of R. Simon: It is like a king who got angry with [his] lady, banished her and sent her out of his palace…
Primary Source
Pesikta de-Rav Kahana
Pesikta de-Rav Kahana 4:1, 7
1. Who can bring forth a clean thing out of an unclean thing? Is it not the One? (Job 14:4).
Like Abraham out of Teraḥ, Hezekiah out of Ahaz, Mordechai out of Shimei, Israel out…
Primary Source
Children’s Voices at Study
Pesikta de-Rav Kahana 15:5
R. Abba b. Kahana said: No philosophers in the world ever arose like Baalam b. Beor and Abnymos of Gadara. The nations of the world came to Abnymos of Gadara. They said to him: Can we conquer this…
Primary Source
The Duties of a Student to His Master
Pesikta de-Rav Kahana 11:8
R. Levi in the name of R. Ḥama bar Ḥaninah said: [ . . . ] Ordinarily [derekh ha-arets], a disciple carries [utensils] for him and walks in front of the master. [ . . . ] Ordinarily, the disciple goes…
Related Guide
Amoraic Midrash
2nd–9th Centuries