ABSTRACT
The analysis of this 'torafaction' provides valuable insight for understanding how theodicy can affect human behaviour and the well-being of any community whether in the past, present or future. The partly autobiographical form of the book announces a break with neither the universal type of instruction for which the wisdom writers made neither personal claim nor pretence of exclusivity. Much of Ben Sira reads like Proverbs indeed sometimes the transference of text is practically direct. Yet the reader soon realizes that there are some fundamental differences. As the most striking factor resides in the transformation of Lady Wisdom herself, it is tempting to ask oneself to what extent this is not at the source of all other differences. Von Rad states rightly that for Ben Sira, the norms of behaviour are inferred from the didactic wisdom tradition or from the store of experience of the elders, rather than from the Torah.
