Aggadah, meaning tales, legend or lore, is the non-legalistic exegesis that appears in the classical rabbinic literature of Judaism, particularly the Talmud and Midrash. It is a compendium of rabbinic texts incorporating folklore, historical anecdotes, moral exhortations and practical advice across many spheres of life, and the predominant rabbinic view holds that Aggadah conveys moral or theological truths through allegory, meant to be understood rather than taken literally.
Facts
Notable ExampleThe Talmud and the Midrash 1 Defining TraitNon-legalistic rabbinic teaching, transmitted mainly through allegory, meant to convey moral or theological truths rather than be read literally 1 Sources
1. Aggadah (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead paragraph, final sentence
The predominant rabbinic holding is that Aggadah is meant to impart moral or theological truths through the form of allegory in order to be accessible, and it does not have to be taken literally.
Lead paragraph, first sentence continuation
the non-legalistic exegesis which appears in the classical rabbinic literature of Judaism, particularly the Talmud and Midrash.
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