Peshat and Derash – Midrash Aggada

Rabbi Avraham, son of the Rambam, in the footsteps of his father, joins the prevailing spirit of the medieval commentators in explaining the text in accordance with its plain meaning, maintaining a clear separation between peshat and derash. He divides midrashim into five categories, maintaining that most belong to the category of lyrical or metaphorical interpretation of verses. He emphasizes that those midrashei Chazal which do not pertain to principles of faith or to matters of halakha, are not to be regarded as binding tradition that must be accepted. He draws a distinction between those midrashim that flow from reasoned consideration of the verse, and those whose intention is not to explain the meaning of the verse but rather to use it as a springboard to teach a different lesson. Concerning midrashim – whose interpretation of verses are 'logical suggestions' – Rabbi Avraham emphasizes that the teachings are not to be considered as binding, received tradition.