Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Hermann L. Strack and Paul Billerbeck on 1 Peter 4:8 (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:7)

  

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.” (Hermann L. Strack and Paul Billerbeck, A Commentary on the New Testament from the Talmud & Midrash ed. Jacob N. Cerone, 3 vols. [trans. Joseph Longarino; Bellingham, Wash.: Lexham Press, 2021], 3:892–893)