Why the Torah Translator May Not Read From a Written Text

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayera 6:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Genesis 18:17:) "And the LORD said: Shall I hide from Abraham <what I am doing>?" Let our master teach us: One who translates for the one reading from the Torah, what is the rule concerning whether he may look at a written text? Thus have our masters taught: The translator is forbidden to look at a written text, and the reader is forbidden to take his eye away from the Torah, for the Torah was given only in writing, as it is said (Exodus 34:1): "And I will write upon the tablets." And the one who translates before the public is forbidden to look at the Torah. Rabbi Judah ben Pazzi said: It is an explicit verse (Exodus 34:27): "Write down for yourself these words" — here is Scripture, which was given in writing; "for by the mouth of these words" (ibid.) — here is the translation, which was given by mouth.

Themes

TorahTeachingWritingWisdomEgypt

Biblical References

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