This book has long been in the making! It is based initially on the years of study and research at Jews' College, under the powerful influence of Professor Naftali Wieder, who left his indelible mark upon every student who had the privilege of studying under him. A number of chapters in this work are based directly on those contained in the dissertation which I wrote under Professor Wieder's guidance, for the PhD degree of London University, entitled ‘The Book of Job in Rabbinic Thought’ (1971).

I attach almost equal significance to the contribution made by the generations of students to whom I have endeavoured to teach Midrash during the past twenty-seven years. I argue in this book that the midrashic process was profoundly influenced by a vital interaction between preacher and audience in the ancient synagogues of Eretz yisrael. I have no doubts that a similar interaction between my students and myself has influenced and enriched my understanding of the midrashic process.

A book is not produced by the author alone. The sheer effort of churning out various versions of the manuscript must be acknowledged. I am happy, therefore, to express my thanks to Mrs Adele Lew, Mrs Annette Nissim and Mrs Linda Ofstein for their invaluable assistance in completing this arduous task. I must also express my gratitude to Mr Alex Wright, religious studies editor, Cambridge University Press, and particularly to Mrs Sherry Begner, who have done much to facilitate the publication of this book. Thanks are due also to Mr Ezra Kahn and his colleagues of the Jews' College Library, for the willing spirit with which they accommodated my every need.