Bamidbar Rabbah is the most recent and most likely received its present form not earlier than the beginning of the twelfth-century. Devarim Rabbah shows signs of later authorship, no doubt the beginnings of the tenth century. Shemoth Rabbah was compiled toward the close of the seventh century. The other Midrashim on the Pentateuch are of a later date. The earliest Midrash is Bereshith Rabbah its date of compilation can be safely placed at the beginning of the sixth century. The systemization and organization of the mass of Aggadic matter accumulated in this collection lasted several centuries. It is heralded “Large” (Rabbah) on account of its sheer quantity and to distinguish it from the smaller collections on the Biblical books. The Midrash Rabbah is the most important of the Aggadic collections. EDITIO PRINCEPS OF MIDRASH RABBAH - AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE TEXT.
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