What Is the Talmud?

The Talmud is one of the central texts of Judaism, serving as a comprehensive compilation of Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, and tradition. The term "Talmud" comes from the Hebrew word for "learning" or "study," reflecting its role as a foundational source of Jewish scholarship

. Structure of the Talmud The Talmud consists of two main components:

• Mishnah : Compiled around 200 CE by Rabbi Judah the Prince, the Mishnah is a written collection of Jewish oral laws that had previously been transmitted orally. It is organized into six orders (sedarim), each addressing different aspects of Jewish life, such as agriculture, festivals, and civil law

• Gemara : The Gemara is a series of commentaries and discussions by later rabbis that elaborate on, analyze, and debate the Mishnah. The Gemara was developed in two major centers-Babylonia and the Land of Israel-resulting in two versions of the Talmud: the Babylonian Talmud and the Jerusalem Talmud. The Babylonian Talmud is more comprehensive and is generally considered more authoritative

Purpose and Significance The Talmud records the teachings, debates, and interpretations of thousands of rabbis over several centuries, beginning in the first century CE and continuing through the sixth and seventh centuries. It explains in detail how the commandments of the Torah (the Five Books of Moses) are to be observed in daily life, often addressing questions not explicitly answered in the Torah itself

. Role in Judaism The Talmud is regarded as sacred and normative by traditional Jews, second in importance only to the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh). It is the main source from which Jewish law (Halakhah) is derived and remains a central focus of study in Jewish religious life

. Summary Table

Component| Description| Language| Date Compiled
---|---|---|---
Mishnah| Written oral laws| Hebrew| c. 200 CE
Gemara| Commentary on Mishnah| Hebrew & Aramaic| c. 400–500 CE

There are two versions: the Babylonian Talmud (more widely studied and authoritative) and the Jerusalem Talmud

. In summary, the Talmud is the collected learning and debate of Jewish sages on law and tradition, forming the backbone of Jewish religious thought and practice