Babylonian Talmud Hagigah 14a: Defining the Aggadah

Greco-Roman Period
The following excerpt shows that the sages understood the word aggadah (“telling”) as if derived from a root meaning “draw,” in that it drew the heart to the study of Torah and its observance.

“Every support of water” (Is. 3-1)- This refers to the Masters of aggadah, for they draw
the hearts of men like water by means of aggadah.

125. Trans. S. Berrin.