חוקת העונשים מקומראן ומקורותיה המקראיים

Updated by: 
Un Sung Kwak
Research notes: 
reader checked 17/01/2012 AL/ Updated by USK / 19 / 05 / 2016 / to add online link for CD B
Reference type: 
Hebrew Book Section;
Author(s): 
Shemesh, Aharon
year: 
2007
Full title: 

חוקת העונשים מקומראן ומקורותיה המקראיים

Translated title: 
The Penal Code from Qumran and Early Midrash
Journal / Book Title || Series Title: 
מגילות: מחקרים במגילות מדבר יהודה ה-ו. מוגשים לדבורה דימנט [ Meghillot: Studies in the Dead Sea Scrolls V-VI. A Festschrift for Devorah Dimant ]
Editor(s): 
Bar-Asher, Moshe
Tov, Emanuel
Place of Publication: 
Jerusalem
Publisher: 
Bialik Institute and Haifa University Press
Pages: 
245-268
Work type: 
Essay/Monograph
Abstract: 

This article analyzes the Penal Code of the Qumran sectarians, a list of some thirty sins and their punishments. Found in both the Rule of the Community and in the Damascus Document, aside from some differences regarding the duration of the period of exclusion associated with certain sins, the two lists are otherwise nearly identical. Their listing of the same sins, in the same order of appearance, suggests that the grouping, and order, of these sins and punishments are not random, and possess an underlying rationale. I argue that three biblical pericopes dealing with the holiness of the people of Israel and their dwelling place comprise the underlying basis for the Penal Code. Violators of these laws endanger the holiness of the community and must therefore be excluded. In other words, the Penal Code actually manifests the Yaḥad's self-perception as the Holy Congregation. The idea that the Penal Code's structure is based on readings of three specific biblical units has implications for our understanding of the development of Midrash. This aspect is treated in the article's concluding section.

Notes: 
CD B Online Link: http://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-TS-00016-00311/1
Language: 
Hebrew
Hebrew bible: 
Book: 
Leviticus
Chapter(s): 
19
Book: 
Numbers
Chapter(s): 
16^17
Book: 
Deuteronomy
Chapter(s): 
23
Primary Texts: Judean Desert Documents: 
Scroll / Document: 
1QS
Section type: 
Column
Passage: 
6^7
Scroll / Document: 
4Q266
Section type: 
Fragment
Passage: 
10 ii
Scroll / Document: 
CD
Passage: 
19
URL: 
http://www.jstor.org/stable/info/23438232?seq=1
Label: 
31/12/2007
Record number: 
9 965