The Genre That’s Not Halacha: What is Aggadah All About?

Linguistic Background

Aramaic is the primary language of the Talmud; the largest compendium of biblical commentaries. These commentaries are known as Gemara, and center around the meaning of the Oral Tradition of Judaism, known as the Mishnah. This first level of orally transmitted Torah directives is attributed to our biblical forefather, Moses, received from G-d on Mount Sinai. It’s in the Talmud that the bulk of Aggadic work is found. 

Worthy of note: The terms “Aggadah” and “Aggadata” are Aramaicized versions of the Hebrew word “Haggadah”; all three spellings have the same meaning, and are often used interchangeably. 

What Is Aggadah?

Aggadah, Aggadata or Haggadah, refers to a diverse array of recorded ideas, exegesis and narrative attached to rabbinic literature, except those that determine legalistic rulings. “Rabbinic literature,” if you’re not already familiar, doesn’t just refer to any work written by a rabbi. 

Specifically, it’s the body of commentaries, conversations, tales and explanations stemming from Mishnah by Chazal; all the rabbinic sages spanning Jewish history. What makes Aggadah different, however, is that rather than determine halachic rulings, it artfully supports them. By way of comparison, you could say that what Midrash (biblical allegory) is to scripture in the Bible, Aggadah is to Halacha in the Talmud.

Because of its diversity, neither subject matter nor style unify Aggadot into a singular genre. So then, what commonalities do scholars attribute to this body of knowledge? Why are they grouped together? Let’s first look at what comprises Aggadah, then why and what we learn from it. 

Subjects Covered by Aggadah

Some Aggadot discuss morality, some recount history, others consist of practical advice for its time, while others are folklore offering homiletic wisdom. Some stories recount factual events, while some are solely metaphorical. The stories and proverbs therein center around personages from throughout history. They feature biblical characters and forebears, heavenly figures such as angels, and even Tannaim and Amoraim; the Midrashic and Talmudic sages themselves.  

Functions of Aggadah

Why do scholars study Aggadah as a subject?  Experts throughout history have offered several ideas for what makes it so special:

Attraction to Learning (The Rest of) Talmud

The fantastical creativity displayed in some Aggadic stories tends to interest more people than the legalistic parts of Talmud. This is one aspect of Aggadah’s appeal. It tends to draw students in and possibly entice them to learn the more challenging parts.

Serving the Study of Law

Aggadic stories and discussions often elicit philosophical analyses of the halachic discourses they surround. Furthermore, the sages often consider Aggadah to support information that solidifies the laws under discussion.  

An Educational Tool

Aggadah can also serve as a pedagogic tool for learning the laws in depth.  In this vein, Rabbi Shlomo Ibn Adret (a.k.a. Rashbah; a 13th century Spanish Talmudic commentator) suggests a practical reason for the more imaginative openings to Aggadic stories. He says they were included intentionally to wake up weary students from the drudgery of the more dry, legalistic content more often learned. 

Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (a.k.a. Maimonides or Rambam; Medieval Spanish philosopher and the first scholar to write a full commentary on the entire Mishnah) suggests that using fables and riddles engages readers in problem-solving, thus improving students’ learning capacity. 

Fostering Spiritual Connection

A possible linguistic root for the word Haggadah is ahgged, which means connection. A verse of Midrash in the Sifrei (a compilation of narrative biblical commentaries on Bamidbar and Devarim) suggests that Aggadah study serves as a way for us to know and connect to G-d.  A comment of the Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (a.k.a. The Alter Rebbe; founder of the Chabad movement, author of the Tanya and renowned kabbalist) corroborates this:

“Therefore, my beloved ones, my brethren and friends…[study] the inner essence of Torah, i.e. the Aggadah contained in the work, Ein Yaakov. For most of the secrets of the Torah are concealed in it.”

Indeed, the Tanya itself explains that Chassidut and Kabbalah in general serve primarily to bring one closer to G-d through getting to “know” him.  

Setting Etiquette and Morals

Undeniably, Aggadah study is intended to inspire moralistic or character-refining effects in the reader. Particularly, it teaches us about the ethics of tzedakah (charity, giving and philanthropy), chesed, (acts of kindness, helping others). The Alter Rebbe continues that, in addition to spiritual connection, Aggadah teaches us morality:

“As to the revealed (i.e. non-mystical) passages in [the aggadah], these are the ways of G‑d in which a person ought to walk, so he can take counsel in his soul in heavenly matters, and in worldly matters, as is known to all the wise of heart.”

Aggadah vs. Halacha

We can understand the significance of Aggadah in Jewish life most clearly when we contrast Aggadah with Halacha. Traditional Judaism is well-known for its strictly held laws. Halacha is the body of Jewish thought outlining those laws. Aggadah serves as a compliment to, and basis for, those laws. It offers much of the history, stories, ideas and legends that may have led to or explain them. Simply put, if Halacha is practice, Aggadah is theory.  

Ideally, our loyalty to Torah law should supersede any implied reasons or explanations, simply because that G-d Himself commanded them. However, the background that Aggadah provides in support of the laws adds richness and relevance to them. In fact, many of the common explanations related in a typical Torah-based sermon, class or book come from Aggadah.

The modern scholar Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972) sums up the essence of both these in his book, Between God and Man: An Interpretation of Judaism.

“Halakhah is the rationalization and schematization of living; it defines, specifies, sets measure and limit, placing life into an exact system.  Aggadah deals with man’s ineffable relations to God, to other men, and to the world.” 

And,

“Halakhah, by necessity, treats with the laws in the abstract, regardless of the totality of the person. It is aggadah that keeps on reminding that the purpose of performance is to transform the performer, that the purpose of observance is to train us in achieving spiritual ends.…

Aggadah Applied

Aggadah teaches us all the importance of doing mitzvot, not just because we’re commanded to.  It encourages us to engage with doing good acts for others, and engaging in practices that please the Creator.

Colel Chabad provides several channels through which to do that. Take your pick of our initiatives! Donate or volunteer to bolster emergency response, nutrition security, programs for widows and orphans, medical services, childcare, seasonal and family milestone needs in Israel. You can bring the Talmud’s beauty into full view when you give from the heart to your brethren in Israel.