For the broader concept of the authority of rabbis in Judaism, see Rabbinic authority.
Not in Heaven (לֹ֥א בַשָּׁמַ֖יִם הִ֑וא, lo ba-shamayim hi) is a phrase found in a Biblical verse, Deuteronomy 30:12, which encompasses the passage's theme, and takes on additional significance in rabbinic Judaism.
The full verse states: "It is not in heaven, that you should say, 'Who will go up to heaven for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?'[1] In general, the verse conforms with how "... the deuteronomic tradition believed its Torah to be an immediately accessible wisdom, neither distant nor wondrous."[2]
The phrase "not in Heaven" is understood to justify human authority to interpret the Torah. The Talmud explains "[The Torah] is not in Heaven" to mean that the meaning of the Torah itself is to be uncovered not by prophets, or even God's miracles or words, but by humankind's interpretation and decision-making. In the story of the Oven of Akhnai,[3] "Rabbi Yehoshua affirmed the independence of human interpretation from divine intervention since this is what God wills. In support he adduces the biblical statement that the Torah is 'not in heaven' (Deuteronomy 30:12)."
In the academic study of Jewish law, the verse "not in Heaven" serves as the Biblical grounding for the jurisprudential structure of halakhah (Jewish law). The source for Rabbinic authority is really from Deuteronomy 17:11 (According to the law which they shall teach you, and according to the judgment which they shall tell you, you shall do). As one author explains, thanks to the midrashic reading of the verse, "...God himself acquiesced in His exclusion from the halakhic process. Having revealed His will in Sinai in the grundnorm, He Himself, according to the Rabbinic explanation, entrusted the interpretation of His will to the Sages."[4]
Maimonides. Mishneh Torah, Foundations of the Torah 9:1-4 (E.g., "it is said 'It is not in heaven' -- you thus learn that henceforth no prophet is authorized to innovate anything." Walzer p. 269)
Berkovits, Eliezer. Not in Heaven: The Nature and Function of Halakhah. (NY, 1983) Cf. "Conversion and the Oral Law" reprinted in Essential Essays on Judaism (Jerusalem: Shalem Press, 2006).
Boyarin, Daniel. "Old Wine in New Bottles: Intertextuality and Midrash." Poetics Today, 1987
Gordis, Robert. The Dynamics of Judaism: A Study in Jewish Law. (Indiana UP:1990)
JP Rosenblatt, JC Sitterson. Not in Heaven: Coherence and Complexity in Biblical Narrative (Indiana UP:1991)
Walzer, et al. The Jewish Political Tradition: Authority (Yale 2000)
^Michael Fishbane, Biblical Interpretation in Ancient Israel, p. 540.
^"The Oven of Akhnai (Babylonian Talmud, Baba Metzia 59b)". Jewish Heritage Online Magazine. Retrieved 2011-06-21.
^Roth, p.124. Cp. Elon on the absolute authority of the sages, ch.7:4.
January 06, 2024
heaven, broader, concept, authority, rabbis, judaism, rabbinic, authority, וא, shamayim, phrase, found, biblical, verse, deuteronomy, which, encompasses, passage, theme, takes, additional, significance, rabbinic, judaism, full, verse, states, heaven, that, sho. For the broader concept of the authority of rabbis in Judaism see Rabbinic authority Not in Heaven ל א ב ש מ י ם ה וא lo ba shamayim hi is a phrase found in a Biblical verse Deuteronomy 30 12 which encompasses the passage s theme and takes on additional significance in rabbinic Judaism The full verse states It is not in heaven that you should say Who will go up to heaven for us and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it 1 In general the verse conforms with how the deuteronomic tradition believed its Torah to be an immediately accessible wisdom neither distant nor wondrous 2 Contents 1 Jewish interpretations 1 1 See also 2 Bibliography 3 ReferencesJewish interpretations editThe phrase not in Heaven is understood to justify human authority to interpret the Torah The Talmud explains The Torah is not in Heaven to mean that the meaning of the Torah itself is to be uncovered not by prophets or even God s miracles or words but by humankind s interpretation and decision making In the story of the Oven of Akhnai 3 Rabbi Yehoshua affirmed the independence of human interpretation from divine intervention since this is what God wills In support he adduces the biblical statement that the Torah is not in heaven Deuteronomy 30 12 In the academic study of Jewish law the verse not in Heaven serves as the Biblical grounding for the jurisprudential structure of halakhah Jewish law The source for Rabbinic authority is really from Deuteronomy 17 11 According to the law which they shall teach you and according to the judgment which they shall tell you you shall do As one author explains thanks to the midrashic reading of the verse God himself acquiesced in His exclusion from the halakhic process Having revealed His will in Sinai in the grundnorm He Himself according to the Rabbinic explanation entrusted the interpretation of His will to the Sages 4 See also edit Eliezer ben Hurcanus against whom Rabbi Yehoshua cited not in Heaven on the case of The Oven of AkhnaiBibliography editMaimonides Mishneh Torah Foundations of the Torah 9 1 4 E g it is said It is not in heaven you thus learn that henceforth no prophet is authorized to innovate anything Walzer p 269 Berkovits Eliezer Not in Heaven The Nature and Function of Halakhah NY 1983 Cf Conversion and the Oral Law reprinted in Essential Essays on Judaism Jerusalem Shalem Press 2006 Boyarin Daniel Old Wine in New Bottles Intertextuality and Midrash Poetics Today 1987 Gordis Robert The Dynamics of Judaism A Study in Jewish Law Indiana UP 1990 JP Rosenblatt JC Sitterson Not in Heaven Coherence and Complexity in Biblical Narrative Indiana UP 1991 Walzer et al The Jewish Political Tradition Authority Yale 2000 References edit New Oxford Annotated Bible Deut 30 14 Michael Fishbane Biblical Interpretation in Ancient Israel p 540 The Oven of Akhnai Babylonian Talmud Baba Metzia 59b Jewish Heritage Online Magazine Retrieved 2011 06 21 Roth p 124 Cp Elon on the absolute authority of the sages ch 7 4 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Not in Heaven amp oldid 1175443334, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
