How One Becomes a Perfect Saddik. A Comparative Study of Nathan of the Radiance and The Story of Joseph the Gardener of Ashkelon and his Wife

This article proposes a typology of the literary and cultural changes which occur when Oriental narrative themes are introduced to the Occident. This is illustrated by an analysis of two representative tales from the Hibbur Yafeh me-ha-Yeshu-ah by Rabbi Nissim of Kairouan: “Nathan of the Radiance” and “Joseph the Gardener of Ashkelon and his Wife”. Both narratives deal with the attainment of perfect righteousness. On the basis of the differences and similarities regarding their literary conception as well as their significance, it becomes apparent that they belong to two related thematical lines that have been received in different ways. An analysis of two versions of “Nathan of the Radiance” in the Ashkenazic manuscript Oxford-Bodleian (13th century) reveals morphological and teleological differences in comparison with the Oriental variants. These are due to the deep contrast between pious Ashkenazic Judaism which existed in isolation from its gentile surroundings and the openmindedness of Oriental Jewry towards the Hellenistic and Moslem worlds.