Search the FAQ Archives

faqs.org - Internet FAQ Archives

soc.culture.jewish FAQ: Torah and Halachic Authority (3/12)
Section - Question 3.30: What are some other important Haggadic works?

( Single Page )

Top Document: soc.culture.jewish FAQ: Torah and Halachic Authority (3/12)
Previous Document: Question 3.29: What are the Midrashim on the Five Megillot (aka The So-Called Rabbot)?
Next Document: Question 3.31: What is the Sefer Yetzirah (The Book of Creation)?
   Megillat Ta'anit 
          A list from the time of the Second Temple describing 36 days on
          which fasting is not permitted because of the joyous events
          that occurred on those days. The main text is from the 1st
          century, while the commentary is post-Talmudic.
   Seder Olam Rabbah (Seder Olam) 
          Traditionally written by Tannaitic Rabbi Yose ben Halafta. It
          covers topics from the Creation to the construction of the
          Second Temple.
   Seder Olam Zutta 
          This book draws up a list of 89 generations from Abraham to the
          exile, and then to the Talmudic period. Not written before the
          8th century.
   Pirkei de Rabbi Eliezer (Baraita de Rabbi Eliezer) 
          Contains 54 chapters on the life of Rabbi Eliezer, and most of
          the Torah. It is nor a midrash in the real sense of the word,
          but is more a coherent biblical story. Dates from the 8th
          A history of the Jews from the fall of Babylonia to the
          destruction of the Second Temple. Written in 953 CE by an
          anonymous author in Southern Italy, based on many historical
          records, but mainly the works of the Roman Jew, Josephus.
   Sefer haYashar (Toldot Adam) 
          "The Book of The Upright" presents a view of history from Adam
          and Eve to the Exodus from Egypt. Written sometime between the
          12th and 16th centuries.
   Mesillas Yesharim
          Mesilas Yesharim is a guide to character improvement written by
          Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato (a/k/a the Ramchal, after his
          initials). He lived in the 18th cent, born in Italy but
          spending most of his life in Amsterdam. Professionally, he was
          a gem cutter.
          The Ramchal bases the structure of Mesilas Yesharim on a
          progression of personality traits listed by the tanna (mishnaic
          era rabbi) Rabbi Pinchas ben Ya'ir (quoted in Tr. Avodah Zarah
          20a). For each trait, he has one chapter defining the trait,
          sometimes he has a second defining subcategories of it, and
          finally advice for how to acquire it. The Ramchal starts with
          Watchfulness, and makes his way to aquiring Holiness. A
          complete translation can be found at:

User Contributions:
