Monday, November 8, 2021

Hermann L. Strack and Paul Billerbeck on 1 Corinthians 13:3-8 and 1 Peter 4:8

  

1 Cor 13:3-8

 

13:3 A: If I used all my possessions to feed (the poor).

 

In principle, no limits were imposed on benefaction. “The following things have no (legal) measure: the edges of a field (which are meant for the poor), the first fruits, festal pilgrimages (and the sacrifices to be brought for them), works of love and study of the Torah” (m. Peʾah 1.1). Nevertheless, in order to avert the impoverishment of the benefactor, certain norms had been established that prevented giving all one’s possessions for beneficent purposes; see a little on this at § Luke 18:12 B, #3, and in detail in the excursus “Ancient Jewish Private Charity.”

 

13:3 B: And if I hand over my body to be burned.

 

παραδιδόναι = מָסַר. See examples at § John 10:11 B and § Acts 15:26. — The purpose of this handing over is to sanctify the divine name; see § Matt 6:9 C, notes n and o; b. Ber. 20A at § John 9:16 B. — On burning, see Num. Rab. 2 (137D) and b. Pesaḥ. 53B at § Matt 6:9 C, n. o; b. Sanh. 92B at § Matt 6:9 C, n. a.

 

13:3 C: But if I do not have love, I gain nothing.

 

Babylonian Talmud Sukkah 49B: R. Eleazar (ca. 270) said, “Alms צדקה will be repaid only according to the measure of love חסד that is contained in them; as it says, ‘Sow for alms and harvest according to the measure of love’ (Hos 10:12).”

 

13:5 A: It does not seek its own.

 

See § 1 Cor 10:24. ‖ Deuteronomy Rabbah 11 (206D): R. Isaac (ca. 300) said, “If an ignorant man הֶדְיוֹט speaks to another, it will harm him. And Moses said, ‘Why, O Yahweh, should your wrath burn against your people?’ (Exod 32:11). But his heart was pure within him; for he did not seek what he himself did not need, but rather what the Israelites needed.” ‖ Midrash Psalm 2 § 2 (13A): R. Isaac (ca. 300) said, “If a person says to another, ‘Why are you doing such and such?,’ the other one gets angry. But the righteous say to God, ‘Why?,’ and he does not get angry and they will not be punished. And why will they not be punished? Because they seek good not for themselves שלא ביקשו טובה לעצמן, but rather for Israel’s sake.”

 

13:5 B: It does not reckon evil.

 

Here belongs also bearing a grudge for wrong experienced; see SLev 19:18 at § Matt 5:22, C.

 

13:7: It covers everything (see § 1 Pet 4:8 [see below]).

 

13:8 A: Love never falls away (never ceases).

 

Mishnah ʾAbot 5.16: Any love that depends on something, if the thing ceases בָּטֵל, so too the love ceases וּבְטֵלָה אַהֲבָה. But a love that does not depend on something never ceases אֵינָה בְּטֵלָה לְעוֹלָם. What is a love that depends on something? This is the love of Amnon and Tamar (cf. 2 Sam 13). And one that does not depend on something? This is the love of David and Jonathan.

 

13:8 B: But whatever prophecies there may be, they will be done away with.

 

See y. Meg. 1.70D.51; Pesiq. 79A; b. Nid. 61B at § Matt 5:18 B, #1, under discussion about noneternal portions of the writings more broadly called the Torah. (Hermann L. Strack and Paul Billerbeck, A Commentary on the New Testament from the Talmud & Midrash, 3 vols. [trans. Joseph Longarino; Bellingham, Wash.: Lexham Press, 2021], 3:521-22)

 

1 Pet 4:8

 

4:8: Love covers a multitude of sins.

 

Proverbs 10:12: “Love covers תְּכַסָּה אַהֲבָה all misdeeds”; the targum replaces the Hebrew for “love covers” with מְכַסָּא רַהֲמוּתָא. — Proverbs 10:12 is rarely cited in rabbinic literature. Midrash Psalm 1 § 18 (9A): R. Hiyya (ca. 280) said, “As the waters cover the nakedness of the sea, as it says, ‘Like the waters that cover the sea’ (Isa 11:9), so the words of the Torah cover the nakedness of Israel, for it says, ‘Love covers all misdeeds’ (Prov 10:12)” (here, following Buber on the passage, “love” = “Torah” on the basis of Prov 5:19). ‖ Leviticus Rabbah 7 (109D): “Hate arouses disputes” (Prov 10:12). The hate that the Israelites brought forth between themselves and their Father in heaven (by the golden calf) aroused many judgments for them.… Yet “love covers all misdeeds” (Prov 10:12), for God loved the Israelites; as it says, “I have loved you, says Yahweh” (Mal 1:2). A different explanation. “Hate arouses disputes.” The hate that Aaron called forth between the Israelites and their Father in heaven (by the golden calf) aroused many judgments for them.… Yet “love covers all misdeeds,” that is, the prayer that Moses prayed for him (Aaron).… ‖ Rashi explains Prov 10:12B as follows: “If people adapt their works well, God covers their misdeeds.” (Ibid., 3:892–893)