Tanḥuma

The Tanḥuma is a significant Pentateuchal Midrash, a collection of rabbinic interpretations and homilies on the Torah. It is named after the Palestinian amora Tanḥuma bar Abba, who lived in the late 4th century CE. Extant versions of the Tanḥuma date from the 4th to 11th centuries and are characterized by their often coincidental and fragmentary nature, reflecting the oral tradition from which they emerged.1

The Tanḥuma primarily contains Haggadic material, which expounds on the non-legal aspects of Scripture, supplementing biblical narratives and exploring their ideas. This contrasts with Halakha, which focuses on legal and ritualistic interpretations. The Tanḥuma is part of a broader body of Midrashic literature that originated from synagogue readings and their accompanying explanations.12