On the Influence of Midrash to Maimonides' Allegorical Interpretation

Abstract

The word “Midrash” has two meanings. One is the specific strategy which employs derash, geometria and some other Judaic ways to interpret the Torah and Talmud; another is a corpus of literature bearing the name of Midrash (im) which records the various interpretations of the sacred texts by the Talmudic sages.  Midrash, with its double meanings, has great influence upon Maimonides' allegorical interpretation of the sacred texts. On one hand, some words or verses taken from the Midrashic texts are allegorically interpreted by Maimonides; on the other hand, the allegorical interpretation is his creative application of Midrashic strategy.