Who made these up? Why is it that biblical book abbreviations do not have periods and are not italicized but rabbinic works are? E.g., “We find in Exod 3:15 that… whereas in Exod. Rab. we find….” My current frustration (the hobgoblin of this little mind) is what to do with the targumim. Should it be Tg. Ruth or Tg. Ruth?
Oh, and here is another little inconstancy. They specifically state that the second Targum of Esther is Tg. Esth. II. So would you infer that all biblical references within a targumic title (e.g., Tg. Lam. 4:2) should now include a period? Harumph….
