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TalmudThe Talmud is a collection of Jewish law and rabbinic dialogue compiled mainly between the second century BCE and the sixth century CE. The Mishnah, or oral law, was compiled beginning in the second century BCE and is included in the Talmud as the first part of the compolation. The second part of the Talmud, known as the Gemara, is recorded rabbinic dialogue from discussions of the Mishnah. There are two sources that are known by the name "Talmud," named for their respective places of composition, Jerusalem and Babylon. The Babylonian Talmud is the most widely known and studied. The Talmud is studied today both by scholars of religion and history. Aside from its overtly religious subject matter, it is also studied in order to shed light on the customs, philosophy, and ethics of the world in which it was composed (see further Jacobs CCJR 1999, under "Talmud," and Rodkinson BT 1903). Josh writes: The article on Talmud from Louis Jacob's A Concise Companion to the Jewish Religion is an outstanding introduction to the subject. It is clear, concise, and it provides a great deal of information on both the Palestinian and Babylonian Talmuds. The article also contains links to many other subjects concerning the Talmud, the Jewish religion, and also religion in general within its text. The author follows the development of the Talmud throughout its history in the 2nd or 3rd centuries BCE through the end of its composition. There are also mentions of Christian reactions to the Talmud and how modern scholars approach the Talmud. You can read the article on Oxford Reference Online.
On-line Text of the TalmudParts of the Babylonian Talmud, as well as an introduction to the Talmud and its contents, can be read in a full-text English translation by Michael L. Rodkinson at http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/talmud.htm Contributors |