Editing Midrash (section)

=== Halakhic midrashim ===
{{Main|Midrash halakha}}
{{Rabbinical Literature}}
''[[Midrash halakha]]'' is the name given to a group of tannaitic expositions on [[Torah|the first five books]] of the Hebrew Bible.<ref>ENCYCLOPAEDIA JUDAICA, Second Edition, Volume 14, pg 193</ref> These midrashim, written in [[Mishnaic Hebrew]], clearly distinguish between the Biblical texts that they discuss and the rabbinic interpretation of that text. They often go beyond simple interpretation and derive or support halakha. This work is based on pre-set assumptions about the sacred and divine nature of the text and the belief in the legitimacy that accords with rabbinic interpretation.<ref name="auto">ENCYCLOPAEDIA JUDAICA, Second Edition, Volume 14, pg 194</ref>

Although this material treats the biblical texts as the authoritative word of God, it is clear that not all of the Hebrew Bible was fixed in its wording at this time, as some verses that are cited differ from the [[Masoretic Text|Masoretic]], and accord with the Septuagint, or [[Samaritan Torah]] instead.<ref>ENCYCLOPAEDIA JUDAICA, Second Edition, Volume 14, pg 195</ref>