Originally posted by ConsequentAtheist
Your pervasive ignorance is beyond laughable.
Your vast knowledge is awe-inspiring...
From Onkelos the Proselyte under the guidance of R. Eliezer and R. Joshua (Babylonian Talmud Meg. 3a) in the 2nd century CE.
On second thought, I take that back. Judging by your multiple interjections regurgitating other people's ideas, I have to conclude that you know nothing but what you can scavenge off the internet. That being said, I admire your objective scepticism. At least you don't tolerate assumptions from either side of the fence.
'
The Targum to the Pentateuch was composed by the proselyte Onkelos at the dictation of R. Eliezer and R. Joshua.'
This statement is undoubtedly due to error or ignorance on the part of the scholars of Babylonia, who applied to the Aramaic translation of the Pentateuch the tradition current in Palestine regarding the Greek version of Aquila. (Jewish Encyclopedia:
Targum Onkelos)
The Aramaic Targum: "
The Aramaic translation of the Bible. It forms a part of the Jewish traditional literature, and in its inception is as early as the time of the Second Temple." (Jewish Encyclopedia:
Targum)
600BC: Hanging gardens and tower of Babel (re?)built (
Neo-Chaldean timeline)
Moses: Torah and "Oral Law" become established in Hebrew, Interpretation is known as "Halakah" and "Midrash Halakah"
"Some of these originated at the time of the Prophets; but others are much older, and are, perhaps, even Sinaitic, having been transmitted orally, and committed to writing by the Prophets (comp. Sanh. 22b). They are called also "Dibre kabbalah" (Words of Tradition)." (Jewish Encyclopedia:
Oral Law)
598BC: Babylonia captures Jerusalem
587BC: Aramaic becomes the international medium of exchange (
The history of Aramaic)
586BC: Solomon's Temple destroyed, Diaspora Jews in exile to Babylon (
Babylonian Judaism)
538BC: King Cyrus (the anointed) overthrows Babylon and frees the Jews, who bring Aramaic back to Judah, replacing ancient Hebrew as their native tongue.
536BC: Work on the Second Temple begins
It becomes necessary to translate and interpret the Hebrew Torah and Oral Law into Aramaic. Interpretation is provided along with the reading or recitation of the Law, and is known as "Targum" (
translation)
516BC: Second Temple consecrated (70 years after destruction of the first)
"As an intepretation of the Hebrew text of the Bible the Targum had its place both in the synagogal liturgy and in Biblical instruction, while the reading of the Bible text combined with the Targum in the presence of the congregation assembled for public worship was
an ancient institution which dated from the time of the Second Temple" (
Targum)
(Later written down in 200AD, this material became knows as the "Mishnah".)
450BC: The Torah begins to gain recognition as Jewish Scripture
1982: Hebrew revived as Israel's official language
As you can see, the date of 400BC I gave previously to the Aramaic Targum is even conservative. Why would they only become necessary in the 2nd century, 700 years after Aramaic replaced Hebrew as the official language? The Babylonian Talmud reflects the early Babylonian influences, and probably also compensates for the establishment of Middle-Aramic (200 BC - 200 AD).
No, I'm suggesting that it is sophomoric to instruct others on a subject about which you are clearly clueless.
There's a difference between instructing and informing. Ignorance is not lack of knowledge, it's lack of information. It's up to you whether it becomes knowledge or whether you just ignore me on grounds of prejudice.
And, of course, that is not what I said. Just one more layer of confusion from Jenyar of the 70 Books.
What you said was:
"Well done, Jenyar! If one wishes to know how stories get fabricated by honest apologists, one needs only read your forays."
Possible interpretations:
1. I'm a dishonest apologist (an illogical conclusion)
2. I'm an honest apologist, who
-a)fabricate stories (the conclusion I drew)
What
did you mean, CA?