Mekhilta - Haggadic Elements

Haggadic Elements

Although the redactor intended to produce a halachic midrash to Book of Exodus, the larger portion of the Mekhilta is haggadic in character. From Ex. xii. the midrash was continued without interruption as far as Ex. xxxiii.19, i.e., to the conclusion of the chief laws of the book, although there are many narrative portions scattered through this section whose midrash belongs properly to the aggadah. Furthermore, many haggadot are included in the legal sections as well.

The halakhic exegesis of the Mekhilta, which is found chiefly in the messektot "Bo.", "Bah", and "Mish." and in the sections "Ki" and "Vayak", is, as the name "mekhilta" indicates, based on the application of the middot according to R. Ishmael's system and method of teaching. In like manner, the introductory formulas and the technical terms are borrowed from his midrash (comp. D. Hoffmann l.c. pp. 43–44). On the other hand, there are many explanations and expositions of the Law which follow the simpler methods of exegesis found in the earlier halakha (comp. Midrash Halakha.)

The haggadic expositions in the Mekhilta, which are found chiefly in "Beshallah" and "Yitro" are in part actual exegesis, but the majority of them are merely interpretations of Scripture to illustrate certain ethical and moral tenets. Parables are frequently introduced in connection with these interpretations (e.g., "Bo" ed. Weiss p. 1b, "Besh" pp. 36a,b, 37a) as well as proverbs (e.g., "Bo" p. 2b, "Vay" p. 60b) and maxims (e.g., the apothegm of the ancient Zekenim, "Besh" p. 62b, "Shir" p. 46b). Especially noteworthy are the haggadot relating to the battles of the Ephraimites ("Besh" p. 28b) and to Serah, Asher's daughter, who showed Joseph's coffin to Moses (ib p. 29a), besides others, which are based on old tales and legends.

It must also be noted that some of the tannaim mentioned in the Mekhilta are referred to only here and in Sifre Num., which likewise originated with R. Ishmael's school (comp. D. Hoffmann l.c., pp. 38–39). On the earlier editions of the Mekhilta and the commentaries to it see I.H. Weiss, l.c., pp. 25–26, and M. Friedmann, l.c., pp. 12–14.