The Talmud: Compilation of the Oral Law

The Talmud: Compilation of the Oral Law

The Talmud (תַּלְמוּד, "study") is the most vast and influential work of rabbinic Judaism. It consists of the Mishnah (the codified oral law) and the Gemara (commentary and analysis of the Mishnah). Two versions exist: the Babylonian Talmud (Talmud Bavli) and the Jerusalem Talmud (Talmud Yerushalmi).

Mishnah and Gemara

The Mishnah was compiled by Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi around 200 CE, organizing the oral law into six orders (sedarim). The Gemara records the discussions of the sages of the academies of Babylon and Galilee on the Mishnah from the 3rd to 5th centuries CE.

Talmud Bavli vs. Talmud Yerushalmi

• Talmud Bavli: Compiled in Babylon (modern Iraq), it is more extensive (2,711 double-sided pages) and holds greater authority in Judaism. Its discussions are deeper and its editing more careful.
• Talmud Yerushalmi: Compiled in Galilee around 400 CE, it is shorter and more fragmentary but preserves traditions closer to the land of Israel.

Halakha and Aggadah

The Talmud contains two types of material:

• Halakha (הלכה): Jewish law, including rules, principles, and legal decisions that regulate all aspects of life.
• Aggadah (אגדה): narrative, ethics, philosophy, science, medicine, history, legends, and moral teachings.

Tannaim and Amoraim

The sages of the Talmud are divided into two periods:

• Tannaim (תנאים, "repeaters"): sages of the Mishnah (1st-2nd centuries CE), such as Hillel, Shammai, Rabbi Akiva, and Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai.
• Amoraim (אמוראים, "expounders"): sages of the Gemara (3rd-5th centuries CE), such as Abaye, Rava, Rav Ashi, and Rabbi Yohanan.

Daf Yomi

Since 1923, Daf Yomi (daily page) allows Jews worldwide to study one page of the Babylonian Talmud each day, completing the full cycle in approximately 7.5 years. Millions participate in this global study program.

Recommended reading: Introduction to the Talmud (Adin Steinsaltz); The Essential Talmud (Adin Steinsaltz); Talmud: The Book of Jewish Law (A. Cohen). The text itself in the Vilna or Schottenstein (ArtScroll) editions.