THE PARABLE OF “IMMERSING WITH A REPTILE IN ONE’S HAND” AND THE MAIMONIDEAN THEORY OF LANGUAGE
THE PARABLE OF “IMMERSING WITH A REPTILE IN ONE’S HAND” AND THE MAIMONIDEAN THEORY OF LANGUAGE

Summary/Abstract: The first appearance in Rabbinic literature of the parable of “immersing with a reptile in one’s hand” is in the Tosefta, as part of the “words of admonition [divrei kibushin]” delivered by the elder in the fast-day ceremonies conducted as a result of drought or some other calamity. Over the course of time, the parable was given diverse interpretations and was incorporated in various contexts. This paper examines Maimonides’ interpretation of it, against the background of earlier interpretations, and connects this understanding with the Maimonidean theory of language. It suggests that Maimonides’ theory of language, as expressed in his philosophical writings, influenced his interpretation of the parable, and also his halakhic rulings concerning the requirement to specify the sin in one’s confession.

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