In Rabbinic literature, ḥiddush (; plural ḥiddushim, ) refers to a novel interpretation or approach to previously-existing ideas or works.["Creative interpretation"
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The term often describes a form of innovation that is made inside the system of Halakha, as distinguished from shinuy, an innovation outside tradition.[Sinclair, Rabbi Julian. "Chiddush", The Jewish Chronicle, November 5, 2008. Accessed January 31, 2017. "Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik (1903-93) distinguishes between chiddush, innovation within a tradition, and shinui, change which represents a sharp break from tradition. In Rabbi Soloveitchik's view, chiddush is an aspect of imitatio Dei (imitation of God). Through it we become creative partners with God in the unfolding of the Torah's meanings. On the other hand, shinui, which is not deeply rooted in traditional knowledge, risks becoming subjective and arbitrary."]
Etymology
comes from the Hebrew root ח-ד-שׁ, meaning . The usage of the word in this context originated from the language of [[Talmudic]] analysis and argumentation in the [[Gemara]].
In rabbinic literature
Nachmanides states[in his Sefer HaMilhamot] that it is an "obligation imposed upon us to search through the subjects of the Torah and the precepts and bring to light their hidden contents".
What "powers" ḥiddushim? MaaYana Shel Torah[a 5 volume set by Rabbi Alexander Zusia Friedman] asks regarding "VaYayLech Moshe" (31:1)—where did he go? and answers that he went into everyone: NichNas Moshe Rabbeinu LeToch ToCho Shel Kol Adam MiYisroel. This, he writes, is the basis of people having/writing ChiDuShim.
Although "any ḥiddush (novel idea) which a reputable disciple will ever come up with was already given to Moses by Sinai,"
Ḥiddushim are the ongoing results of a process["the results of a method of study of rabbinical literature which derives new ideas from talmudic and also rabbinic texts, in order to clarify halakhah."] and, as a form of Kavod HaTorah, we're required not to forget them. New ways to recall what we learn can be a form of ḥiddush.[Rav Avigdor Nebenzahl, talks of tapes, CDs, notebooks summarized with indexes, indexes of accumulated notebooks, folders, "files on computers".]
Rulings vs. understanding
There is a difference between issuing a ruling, meaning to "distinguish the case at hand from the ... to solve a problem,"[ and an understanding of something. Even in the latter case, he writes "What Rabbi Feinstein means is that one should not be innovative ( mechadesh) just to innovate."
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Although it is a Torah command for Kohanim to bless the people, there might be a ḥiddush whether it is obligatory upon those who are not Kohanim to make themselves available to receive these blessings.
[ "One of the G’dolei Achronim who introduces this concept is the Hafloah (Rav Pinchas Horowitz zt’l, Rebi of the Chasam Sofer) in his chidushim to Meseches Kesuvos 24b. He maintains, that although the Torah is only explicit in commanding the Kohanim to deliver the brochos, since the mitzva can not be performed without the participation of the Yisroelim]
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Can always be new? Psalm (27:4) has King David asking that he "dwell.. and visit.." Which is it? Rabbi Yissocher Frand explains the experience as "The Pitfall of Consistency: Been There, Done That."
Forms of ḥiddush
Notarikon
One form is called Notarikon.[As defined in the Jewish Encyclopedia of 1906, "A system of shorthand consisting in either simply abbreviating the words or in writing only one letter of each word. This system…was said by the Talmudists to have existed as early as the time of Moses; and they held that the latter used it in the composition of the Pentateuch. The law concerning noṭariḳon is the thirtieth of the thirty-two hermeneutic rules laid down by Eliezer b. Jose ha-Gelili for the interpretation of the Bible.” (http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/11602-notarikon)."
]
- Shabbat (שַׁבָּת), the Sabbath, is a day of rest. The word is spelled with 3 Hebrew letters.
The Notarikon of the three-word phrase "Shayna b'Shabbat Taanug" (שינה בשבת תענוג) (translation: "(Extra) Sleep on Shabbat is considered a Delight!") spells Shabbat (שַׁבָּת).[source: Isidor Grunfeld]
- By itself it might seem like at best a minor ḥiddush. When published amidst a collection of many other such 3-word phrases about the day of rest, the title has justified use of the plural form: ḥiddushim.
Gematria
Another is finding a Gematria.[There's more than one way, not all of them correct. ][This doesn't take away from one said at a Sheva Brachos, if done well: "so long as it fits with a real idea/source/Halacha"]
Lechadesh (to renew)
The above term[as used by a discussion group, discussing Mesillat Yesharim] points to a need for something "old" to be seen in a new light.[From Mishnat Rebi Aharon 1:203 within http://judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/28738/what-is-the-importance-of-chiddush] A multi-volume commentary on Mesillas Yesharim[http://dixieyid.blogspot.com/2009/03/three-types-of-chiddushim-novel-ideas.html, citing Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh, volume 5, Pirkei Avodah U'Machshava] compares and contrasts this to emotional insight, a type of Chidush where "something which is novel emotionally" illuminates the value of an idea one already knew intellectually, and brings "a new internalization".
History
Among the first post-Geonim writers of ḥiddushim[ are:
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Joseph ibn Migash wrote the first published cḥidushim incorporating commentaries on halakha in the Talmud
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Abraham ben David de Posquières (RABaD)
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Meir Abulafia (c. 1170 – 1244)
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Nachmanides was the first to write ḥiddushim on the Chumash.
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By the late sixteenth century, with printing an established technology, hair-splitting distinctions into the treatment of halakah- themes became more frequent,[ with ḥiddush-driven works such as those by:
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A counter-intuitive use of the term was the Moses Sofer's novel interpretation of the phrase Chadash asur min haTorah, ("'new' is forbidden by the Torah"). The phrase as originally used is regarding the laws of keeping kosher, whereas his use was regarding changes being made by the Reform movement in Europe: it was a way of saying no—but using a pun.
Current usage
In its regular, contemporary, use, means a novel or innovative (or unusual) idea or point;
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"I once learned a very useful chidush (novel idea) in the name of Harav Moshe Feinstein zt"l, concerning ..."
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"He is famous for his original insights on ..." (review: Rabbi Dovid Feinstein - Kol Dodi On Torah)
and similarly, book titles may be of the following form:
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The work known as Chidushei HaRim, uses the Hebrew word in the possessive form, and means "ḥiddushim of"
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thus, an English language form is " ḥiddushim of (name of person)", with translation "Novellae of...".
has to some extent become assimilated into [[American English]];
Notes
External links
