Language:
English
Year of publication:
2021
Titel der Quelle:
Deuterocanonical and Cognate Literature Yearbook (2020-2021)
Angaben zur Quelle:
(2021) 149-167
Keywords:
Judith (Apocryphal book). Versions
;
Septuagint
;
Fasts and feasts Judaism
;
Ninth of Av
;
Hanukkah
Abstract:
It is common for the Judith tale to be connected to the festival of Hanukkah. In this context, mostly, an acknowledgment is made that this connection between Judith and Hanukkah is of medieval Jewish provenance. Furthermore, it is quite clear that LXX Judith neither makes reference to Hanukkah nor alludes to that specific festival. However, despite being an obviously ludic text, LXX Judith makes pointed references to specific dates (albeit seemingly out of context) and certain agricultural activities that when viewed from a purely Jewish context strongly imply periods engaged with other Jewish festivals. Indeed, as an example, a knowledgeable reader following the explicit time line set out in LXX Judith would be in no doubt that the meeting between Judith and Holofernes occurred sometime in Av. The reader would also understand that the primary theme of the narrative is the ultimate protection of the Holy Temple. This is not a tale about rededication but rather halting an enemy, focused on destroying the Temple. Nowhere in the text is there even a hint that the Second Temple has been desecrated or made unclean. It is portrayed as intact and functioning correctly in Jewish society. The subtle references to the month of Av are clearly appropriate because they remind the reader of the worst-case scenario should the enemies of the Jews not be stopped. The fact that (in the tale) the Second Temple is saved during the month of Av helps to negate the destruction of the First Temple at the same time of year. If interpreted correctly it would appear that the Judith tale as espoused in LXX Judith was originally intended to be associated with Tish‘a B’Av and not Hanukkah.
DOI:
10.1515/9783110705454-008
URL:
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