Judaism's Ancient Text, the Talmud
The Teachings and Wisdom of the Mishnah and Gemara
It may seem surprising that Judaism’s second-most-important body of written work (the first being the Torah, the centerpiece of the Tanach, or Jewish Bible ) once only existed verbally. Until the 2nd century CE, the Talmud was passed down generation to generation by word of mouth. Jews learned the practices, laws and traditions that are expressed in the Talmud through the weekly rabbinic sermons, study and practical application in everyday life. Rabbis relied upon a long-standing oral tradition of investigatory discussion and debate as the substance of this vital work.
By the 100 CE, however, the Talmud had grown large enough to require written compilation. Some scholars believe this process was also expedited by the destruction of the second temple in 70 CE, and the concern that the teachings of earlier generations would be lost with the scattering of Jews to other lands and the loss of life that had resulted from battles during this period.
Today's Version of the Talmud
Today’s written Talmud consists of two main sections of work: the Mishnah and the Gemara. The names are in themselves descriptive of their roles.
Mishnah means both repetition and secondary, as the document relates to the Torah. The Mishnah is the written redaction of the Oral Law, while the Gemara (meaning to study by tradition, or discussion) is the rabbinic discussions and commentaries on the Mishnah.
The Mishnah was codified first and during the centuries that followed, the Gemara was compiled by rabbis who poured over the laws and assembled the necessary interpretations.
Why is the Talmud Called the Shas?
Acronyms play an interesting role in Judaism. Famous rabbis are often referred to by an acronym of their entire name (RaMBaM, for the 12th-century Talmudic scholar Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon for example).
In this case, the Shas (or ShaS), a familiar name for the Talmud, stands for Shisha Sedarim, or the Six Orders. The Mishnah comprises six critical areas of Jewish law, which form the basis for the Talmud’s elaborate body of commentaries.
The Six Orders - Shisha Sedarim
The six Orders, or topics, are:
- Zeraim (Seeds) – Agriculture, tithes, prayers and blessings
- Moed (Festival) – Sabbath and Festival laws and traditions
- Nashim (Women) – Marriage and divorce, and other related laws
- Nezikim (Damages) – Civil and criminal law, oaths, etc.
- Kodashim (Holy) – Dietary laws, the Temple and sacrificial rites once upheld
- Tohorot (Purities) – Issues relating to purity and impurity
On a practical level, the Talmud provides guidance to Jews on many different topics. It is a record of Jewish perspectives on how to observe Shabbat, the meaning and importance of Tzedakah, the relations between men and women, traditions relating to everyday life and numerous other issues.
The Evolution of the Talmud
Following the first redaction of the Oral Law and commentary, which was published somewhere around 200-400 CE, the Mishnah underwent another commentary in about 500 CE.
The two Talmuds are referred to as the Jerusalem Talmud and Babylonian Talmud, respectively. The differences lie in the commentaries and discussions that make up the two Gemaras.
The Layout of the Talmud
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the Talmud is its visual appearance. Ancient commentaries, expoundings and debates by learned rabbis are written around the framework of the Mishnah, which appears in the center of the page (see image below).
From these commentaries one is able not only to learn the basis for ancient laws, but obtain a bird’s-eye view of the society and customs of Jewish communities thousands of years ago. Rabbinic students as well as individuals with an interest in learning about the basis for Jewish traditions study the Talmud in groups. Many synagogues offer classes in Talmudic study guided by experienced readers of Old Hebrew.
Later Commentaries on the Mishnah
Although the first two Gemaras are considered the substantive work of the Talmud, the study and interpretation of the Mishnah is a never-ending process. Some of the most respected commentators lived long after the first two Gemaras were compiled.
The 11th-century scholar Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzhaki), Rambam and the 19th-century scholar Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch are among the most famous scholars to have provided commentary on the Mishnah.
Readers may also enjoy Belief and Controversy in Judaism and The Judaism's Ancient Hebrew Calendar.
Sources:
- FAQs.org
- JewFAQ.org
- Britannica.com
- ACS.UCalgary.ca
- AskMoses.com
A Page of The Ancient Talmud of Judaism
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