Wisdom in Rabbinic Interpretation

An expansive approach to the rabbinic interpretation of wisdom would entail comparing the rabbis’ diverse notions of wisdom with pre-rabbinic conceptions, while a more focused approach, and the one pursued here, approaches wisdom from a literary perspective. If we consider Wisdom as a literary genre or mode, Mishnah Avot emerges as a late member of the Wisdom literary trajectory, sharing salient features with earlier Wisdom Literature. In light of Avot’s presence on a literary continuum with ancient Hebrew Wisdom, I hope to show how Ben Sira’s Praise of the Fathers paved the way for various features and innovations of Avot which, in turn, enriched the rabbinic interpretation of wisdom.