• Media type: E-Article
  • Title: The Core of the Sifra: A Temple Textbook for Priests
  • Contributor: Finkelstein, Louis
  • Published: Annenberg Research Institute, 1989
  • Published in: The Jewish Quarterly Review, 80 (1989) 1/2, Seite 15-34
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 0021-6682; 1553-0604
  • Origination:
  • Footnote:
  • Description: The purpose of this article is to show that the "Sifra" on Leviticus was originally a textbook used in the Temple to instruct young priests in their duties. This is evident from a number of passages quoted in this study which point to authorship by priests, and some of which are clearly directed to the instruction of young priests. Apparently, it was R. Johanan ben Zakkai, though he himself was not a priest, who mastered it, as he mastered the whole halakhic literature. He taught it to his pupil, R. Eliezer, who in turn taught it to R. Akiba. Ultimately, it was edited by R. Judah, the disciple of R. Akiba, who had access to it also from his father, who was a disciple of R. Eliezer.