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In This Issue This issue deals with exegetes, exegesis and
literature. The opening article, by Carmiel
Cohen, concerns how R. Levi ben Gershom
(Ralbag, Provence 1288-1344), characterized
the connection between the Written Law and
the Oral Law. Exceptionally, Ralbag created an
alternative list of principles of interpreting the
Torah. This was evidently related to his own
rational approach, requiring him to replace
the prevalent method with a more logical one.
However his proposal may have been a response
to the Christian critique of the Talmud.
Rabbi Dr. Carmiel Cohen teaches in the
Department of Talmud at the Hebrew University
of Jerusalem, and in the Ma`aliyot Institute,
Ma`aleh Adumim.

There is a gap between the Talmudic story about
David and Abigail and its Biblical source. In the
Talmudic story, Abigail seduces David, who wants
to bed her, which has no basis in Scripture.Two
of the scholars of the East, the Ridbaz and the
Ralbach, cope in their responsa with this gap.The
two scholars choose an apologetic approach,
while attempting to explain the link between the
Talmudic story and Scripture.
Dr. Gilad Sasson teaches in the Department of
Talmud at Bar-Ilan University.

Moshe Rachimi examines the reality of
the Renaissance period as mirrored in the
commentary on the Pentateuch by R. Obadiah
Sforno (Italy, 1470-1550), and the degree to
which it influenced the commentary. Sforno
weaves into his commentary references to,

In This Issue V