Concept

Talmud

Overview

The Talmud (; Hebrew: תַּלְמוּד, romanized: Talmūḏ, 'study' or 'learning') is the central text of Rabbinic Judaism, and second in authority only to the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), the first five books of which form the Torah along with the texts in Nevi'im (Prophets) and Ketuvim (Writings). It is a primary source of Jewish law (הֲלָכָה, Halakha) and Jewish theology. It consists of the part of the Oral Torah compiled in the Mishnah and its commentaries, the Gemara. It records the teachings, opinions and disagreements of thousands of rabbis and Torah scholars (collectively referred to as Chazal) on a variety of subjects, including Halakha, Jewish ethics, philosophy, customs, history, and folklore among other topics. Until the Haskalah in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Talmud was the centerpiece of Jewish culture in nearly all communities and foundational to "all Jewish thought and aspirations", serving also as "the guide for the daily life" of Jews.

Talmud is used interchangeably with Gemara. The text is made up of 63 tractates, each covering one subject area. The Talmud is written in a combination of Aramaic and Hebrew. Talmudic tradition emerged and was compiled between the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE and the Arab conquest in the early seventh century. Traditionally, it is thought that the Talmud itself was compiled by Rav Ashi and Ravina II around 500 CE, although it is more likely that this happened in the middle of the sixth century.

The word Talmud commonly refers to the Babylonian Talmud (Talmud Bavli), not the earlier Jerusalem Talmud (Talmud Yerushalmi). The Babylonian Talmud is the more extensive of the two and is considered the more authoritative.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).

In the original texts

Passages from public-domain books where Talmud is discussed.

He is unacquainted with them, and has no talent whatever for them; we apply to him the words: “Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?” (Prov. xvii. 16). Others are intelligent and naturally clear-sighted, able to convey complicated ideas in concise and well chosen language,—such a person is called “a good orator,” but he has not been engaged in the pursuit of…
Moses Maimonides, The guide for the perplexed
states what it is; names the idea; opens on it
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And first, for the Pentateuch, it is not argument enough that they were written by Moses, because they are called the five Books of Moses; no more than these titles, The Book of Joshua, the Book of Judges, The Book of Ruth, and the Books of the Kings, are arguments sufficient to prove, that they were written by Joshua, by the Judges, by Ruth, and by the Kings. For in titles of Books, the subject is marked, as often…
Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan
states what it is
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The _poetical_ books give the teachings of the Old Testament covenant in prayers, proverbs and hymns. The _prophetical_ books contain many instructions, admonitions and prophecies (especially concerning Christ who should come to save men) which God sent to the Israelites through the prophets. The first four prophets are called the Major Prophets; and the last twelve, the Minor Prophets.
Martin Luther, An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism
states what it is
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Of Atheism I HAD rather believe all the fables in the Legend, and the Talmud, and the Alcoran, than that this universal frame is without a mind. And therefore, God never wrought miracle, to convince atheism, because his ordinary works convince it. It is true, that a little philosophy inclineth man's mind to atheism; but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion. For while the mind of man looketh…
Francis Bacon, The Essays or Counsels, Civil and Moral
opens on it; names the idea
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Others have added more obscene trifles. But the second chapter overthrows and refutes such lies. For should that be true how could it be written that God took from Adam one of his ribs and built a woman out of it? Such lies are found in the Talmud of the Jews and reference must be made to them in order that we may see the maliciousness of Satan, who suggests to men such absurd things.
Martin Luther, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1
names the idea
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Talmud

Overview

In the original texts

Philosophers who discussed Talmud

Related ideas

Opposing perspectives

Place in the tradition