Machshava:

Avraham 

Midrash:

Midrash Rabbah - Torah 

Description

There are numerous Midrashim that explore the early years of Avraham, attempting to explain his selection as the progenitor of a great nation and the source of blessing for "all of the families of the earth" Some of these Midrashim portray Avraham as a philosopher, arriving at his belief in one God through observation and contemplation. Others describe him as more of an intuitive believer, imbued with a deep sense of God from his youngest years. Exploring passgaes from the proto-Midrashic literature found in the Apocrypha, we find that each of these approaches can be found in this literature. We also discuss these sources, their likely provenance and their impact on the literature of the Midrash with which we are familiar.