TIP OF THE DAY 90: Person in apocrypha, pseudepigrapha, folklore part 2
I am adding these posts to the previous tip list L/V 10 Tip of the Day
QUESTION: How is Adam depicted in Rabbinic literature?
ANSWER: from Perplexity:
Rabbinic literature presents a multifaceted depiction of Adam that expands on the biblical account:
1. Creation and Nature: Adam is portrayed as a primordial creation, formed from dust gathered from the whole world. His body is described as a complex composition, with each part symbolizing different aspects of human nature.
2. Divine Image: Adam is seen as created in God's image, possessing a special connection to the divine. This is reflected in traditions that describe angels marveling at Adam's creation and initially wanting to pay homage to him.
3. Spiritual Potential: Adam represents humanity's potential to rise above base instincts. His name is interpreted as an acrostic of אפר, דם, מרה (ashes, blood, gall), with the letter aleph symbolizing the ability to control these lower elements.
4. Fall and Repentance: Adam is portrayed as the archetypal penitent sinner. After his expulsion from Eden, he is described as undergoing intense fasting and prayer. This emphasizes the Jewish view that repentance can remove the effects of sin.
5. Priestly Figure: Some traditions associate Adam with priestly functions, describing him as wearing high priestly garments for sacrifice.
6. Source of Wisdom: Adam is credited with receiving divine knowledge. Some accounts describe him receiving a "book of knowledge" from God after his expulsion from Eden.
7. Progenitor of Righteousness: Despite his sin, Adam is seen as the ancestor of all righteous people. Midrashic accounts describe God showing Adam visions of future righteous descendants to comfort him.
8. Mortality and Legacy: Adam's lifespan is given symbolic significance. He is said to have willingly given up 70 years of his life for a future descendant (traditionally identified as King David).
This rich tapestry of interpretations in Rabbinic literature presents Adam not just as a historical figure, but as a complex symbol embodying themes of human potential, fallibility, repentance, and the relationship between humanity and the divine.1
QUESTION: How does the oral folklore of Abrahamic religions complement our understanding of the connotations surrounding Adam?
ANSWER: from Perplexity:
The oral folklore of Abrahamic religions significantly enriches our understanding of Adam's connotations, providing additional layers of interpretation beyond the canonical texts:
1. Primordial Creation: Adam's garment is often portrayed as a primordial creation, symbolizing his original state of holiness. Some traditions describe it as a garment of light or glory, representing Adam's initial divine status.
2. Symbol of Authority: Adam's garment is seen as a locus of power and a symbol of authority. It was believed to possess supernatural qualities and was passed down through generations as priestly robes.
3. Priestly Significance: The garment is frequently associated with priestly functions. For instance, the Numbers Rabbah states that Adam donned high priestly garments for sacrifice, linking Adam to later priestly traditions.
4. Composition of Adam's Body: The Adam Octipartite tradition elaborates on Adam's creation, stating his body was formed from eight parts, including dust, sea, stones, clouds, wind, sun, light, and the Holy Spirit. This complex composition symbolizes the multifaceted nature of humanity.
5. Divine Breath: The concept of God breathing life into Adam is expanded in oral traditions, emphasizing the divine nature of human souls and the special connection between humans and God.
6. Cosmic Significance: Some traditions link Adam's creation to the future site of the sanctuary, implying a cosmic importance to his formation and connecting him to later redemptive history.
7. Angelic Reaction: Pseudepigraphal accounts describe angels marveling at Adam's creation, emphasizing his unique status among created beings.
8. Symbolic Interpretations: Adam's story is often interpreted symbolically. For instance, in the Baháʼí Faith, Adam symbolizes the "spirit of Adam," Eve symbolizes "His self," and the Tree of Knowledge symbolizes "the material world".
9. Linguistic Significance: The use of the term "Adam" in rabbinic literature reveals important theological concepts. Some interpretations emphasize that only Jews are called "Adam," highlighting ideas of collective Jewish identity and spiritual uniqueness.
10. Messianic Connections: Oral traditions often draw connections between Adam and messianic expectations, linking the concept of Adam as the first human to the idea of the Messiah as a "new Adam".
These folkloric elements complement our understanding by presenting Adam not just as a historical figure, but as a complex symbol embodying themes of divine favor, human fallibility, priestly authority, and the potential for spiritual restoration.
Note: Abrahamic mythology is a site that may be of use.
QUESTION: What are some resources for the study of Judeo-Christian folklore in Logos/Verbum?
ANSWER: from my library:
Bousset, W. The Antichrist Legend: A Chapter in Christian and Jewish Folklore. London: Hutchinson and Co., 1896.
Donehoo, James deQuincey. The Apocryphal and Legendary Life of Christ. New York; London: The Macmillan Company; Macmillan & Co., Ltd., 1903.
Gibson, John C. L., and Godfrey Rolles Driver. Canaanite Myths and Legends. 2nd ed. London; New York: T & T Clark International, 2004.
Ginzberg, Louis, Henrietta Szold, and Paul Radin. Legends of the Jews. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 2003.
Gunkel, Hermann. The Legends of Genesis. Translated by W. H. Carruth. Chicago: The Open Court Publishing Co., 1901.
Houlden, Leslie, and Antone Minard. Jesus in History, Legend, Scripture, and Tradition: A World Encyclopedia [2 Volumes]. New York, NY: ABC-CLIO, 2015.
Kirkpatrick, Patricia G. Old Testament and Folklore Study. Vol. 62. Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Supplement Series. Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1988.
Litfin, Bryan. After Acts: Exploring the Lives and Legends of the Apostles. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2015.
Miller, Robert D., II. Oral Tradition in Ancient Israel. Vol. 4. Biblical Performance Criticism. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2011.
Pick, Bernhard. The Life of Jesus according to Extra-Canonical Sources. New York: John B. Alden, Publisher, 1887.
Rydberg, Viktor. Roman Legends about the Apostles Paul and Peter. Translated by Ottilia Von Düben. London: Elliot Stock, 1898.
1 and https://biologos.org/articles/the-wax-adam-historical-biographical-archetypal-or-literary and and https://thelehrhaus.com/timely-thoughts/adams-absence-rereading-the-primordial-sin/ https://www.academia.edu/10887317/Adamic_traditions_in_early_Christian_and_Rabbinic_literature
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."