Talmud and Heroquesting in the Jewish Tradition

From: Jonathan Quaife <jonathan.quaife_at_majotech.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2003 12:22:26 +0100


Mr. Brooke wrote:

>4th century AD (Palestinian) and 5th century AD (Babylonian), =
apparently
>(based on a Google for "Talmud compiled when"). That's outside my area
>of expertise, though. For more depth, ask Jon Quaife.

First off I should say that years ago I was a biblical scholar, so = Talmud was a bit peripheral, and also I'm rusty. Also I sincerely hope = this posting causes no offence any who follows the Jewish faith, for = which I have the greatest respect and admiration. The answer is in fact = much more interesting than the short summary I have included below. = Accordingly I have written a much longer tract on this subject, = explaining the hows whys and wherefores, and in particular some = speculation regarding Rabbi Akiva's heroquests in re-defining Juadaism = after the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 C.E. However, am = not sure where I should post it!?=20

The short answer to the question regarding the dating of the Talmud is:

For those who know, its is a revealed text, a part of Torah, authored in = heaven at the moment of creation and revealed to Moses on Sinai. Moses = did not record it--instead it was made manifest in the speculations of = the sages who proceeded after him and whose interpretations were passed = from generation to generation as an oral tradition, which, after three = thousand years was perfectly recorded in writing.

For the academics, it began with the Mishnah, which was "finally" = redacted by Judah Ha-nasi circa 200 C.E., which then grew into two = written texts called the Palestinian Talmud and the Babylonian Talmud = compiled by different groups of sages in Palestine and modern day Iraq. = Mishnah means "Teaching" and the works that grew from the Mishnah in = Palestine (circa 400 C.E.) and Iraq (circa 500 C.E.), are called = "Gemara", "Completion" (but also "Teaching"). Additional minor changes = were made in the c.6th and c.7th.

Best wishes,

Jon.

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