The Essence of Midrash

Midrash is not just a genre of literature, but an activity that seeks to extract deeper meanings from texts. It involves using various inquisitive methods, such as referencing other texts, to uncover hidden layers of interpretation. Midrash is a playful activity that teases out coded meanings and adds new layers of meaning to existing texts. It has been practiced since biblical times, with later books expanding on and sometimes even reversing the earlier meaning. The book of Ruth serves as an example of midrash, challenging the prohibition against marrying Moabites and presenting a new perspective on Deuteronomic law. Over time, midrash evolved from biblical tradition to external books, and eventually to commentaries about commentaries. Today, modern midrash projects, like Torah Ta, are pushing the boundaries of interpretation by rewriting the Torah and regendering its characters.