Midrash (Hebrew: מִדְרָשׁ, lit. "study" or "interpretation") refers to a method of rabbinic interpretation and exegesis of biblical texts, as well as the body of literature that results from this method. The term midrash can also denote a compilation of such interpretations, often organized by specific books of the Hebrew Bible or by thematic topics. Midrashic literature is a central component of the Jewish oral tradition and plays a crucial role in the development of Jewish law, theology, and ethics. In Arabic, the term is translated as tafsir (تفسير), which similarly refers to interpretation or commentary, particularly of religious texts. The midrashic approach involves not only explaining the plain meaning of the text but also exploring its deeper, often symbolic or allegorical, significance. This method allows for a rich and multifaceted understanding of biblical narratives, laws, and prophecies, reflecting the dynamic and evolving nature of Jewish thought and practice.
Traditional Jewish exegesis of Biblical texts
Midrash is an expansive Jewish Biblical exegesis using a rabbinic mode of interpretation prominent in the Talmud. The word itself means "textual interpretation", "study", or "exegesis", derived from the root verb darash (דָּרַשׁ), which means "resort to, seek, seek with care, enquire, require".