https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article.xml /articles/essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article xml article The Talmud in One Article The Talmud is the rabbinic literature that develops the Oral Torah into the Halacha and the worldview of normative Judaism. The New Jew /index.xml Torah & Texts /sections/torah-texts.xml The Talmud in One Article /articles/essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article.xml https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article.json <_xml>https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article.xml
essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article The Talmud in One Article The Talmud is the rabbinic literature that develops the Oral Torah into the Halacha and the worldview of normative Judaism. Summary. The Talmud comprises the Mishnah (Hebrew, c. 200 CE) and the Gemara (Aramaic, c. 500 CE), organized into six orders and 63 tractates. There are two Talmuds — the Babylonian (Bavli, the authoritative one) and the Jerusalem (Yerushalmi). The Talmud is studied in chevruta (paired learning), is the engine of Halacha, and is the most distinctive intellectual product of the Jewish people. Daf Yomi — a page a day — is the standard contemporary practice; the cycle completes the entire Bavli in seven-and-a-half years. essential essentials talmud mishnah gemara 2026-07-06T02:19:03.001Z 585 3
torah-texts Torah & Texts
https://pub-73c694f3dc3c4d0ea8f98f090d227a0d.r2.dev/article-images/the-talmud-in-one-article-ms8hpm31-bfe4f8f6.png https://pub-73c694f3dc3c4d0ea8f98f090d227a0d.r2.dev/article-images/the-talmud-in-one-article-crop-ms8iq8y5-a2c9b639-large.png https://pub-73c694f3dc3c4d0ea8f98f090d227a0d.r2.dev/article-images/the-talmud-in-one-article-crop-ms8iq8y5-a2c9b639-thumb.png The Talmud in One Article summary Summary. The [Talmud](/glossary.xml#letter-T) comprises the [Mishnah](/glossary.xml#letter-M) (Hebrew, c. 200 CE) and the [Gemara](/glossary.xml#letter-G) (Aramaic, c. 500 CE), organized into six orders and 63 tractates. There are two Talmuds — the Babylonian ([Bavli](/glossary.xml#letter-T), the authoritative one) and the Jerusalem ([Yerushalmi](/glossary.xml#letter-T)). The Talmud is studied in [chevruta](/glossary.xml#letter-C) (paired learning), is the engine of Halacha, and is the most distinctive intellectual product of the Jewish people. [Daf Yomi](/glossary.xml#letter-D) — a page a day — is the standard contemporary practice; the cycle completes the entire Bavli in seven-and-a-half years. Summary. The Talmud comprises the Mishnah (Hebrew, c. 200 CE) and the Gemara (Aramaic, c. 500 CE), organized into six orders and 63 tractates. There are two Talmuds — the Babylonian (Bavli, the authoritative one) and the Jerusalem (Yerushalmi). The Talmud is studied in chevruta (paired learning), is the engine of Halacha, and is the most distinctive intellectual product of the Jewish people. Daf Yomi — a page a day — is the standard contemporary practice; the cycle completes the entire Bavli in seven-and-a-half years. heading Mishnah Mishnah paragraph Compiled by [Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi](/glossary.xml#letter-Y) (“Rabbi”) around 200 CE in the Land of Israel, the Mishnah is the first written code of the [Oral Torah](/glossary.xml#letter-O). It is organized in six [sedarim](/glossary.xml#letter-S) (orders): Zeraim (agriculture), Moed (festivals), Nashim (women and family law), Nezikin (damages), Kodashim (holy things), and Taharot (purities). The familiar tractates — Berachot, [Shabbat](/glossary.xml#letter-S), Pesachim, Yoma, Sukkah, [Megillah](/glossary.xml#letter-M), Bava Kamma, [Sanhedrin](/glossary.xml#letter-S), [Avot](/glossary.xml#letter-A) — sit within these orders. The Mishnah is in [Mishnaic Hebrew](/glossary.xml#letter-M), terse and precise. Compiled by Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi (“Rabbi”) around 200 CE in the Land of Israel, the Mishnah is the first written code of the Oral Torah. It is organized in six sedarim (orders): Zeraim (agriculture), Moed (festivals), Nashim (women and family law), Nezikin (damages), Kodashim (holy things), and Taharot (purities). The familiar tractates — Berachot, Shabbat, Pesachim, Yoma, Sukkah, Megillah, Bava Kamma, Sanhedrin, Avot — sit within these orders. The Mishnah is in Mishnaic Hebrew, terse and precise. heading Gemara Gemara paragraph The Gemara is the centuries-long rabbinic discussion of the Mishnah, conducted in the academies of Babylonia (the Bavli, compiled c. 500 CE) and the Land of Israel (the Yerushalmi, compiled c. 400 CE). It is in Aramaic with Hebrew quotations of biblical and Mishnaic material. The Babylonian Talmud is the more developed and is the authoritative one for Halachic decision-making. The Yerushalmi is the more elliptical and is studied especially for its insights into the Land of Israel and for the rulings preserved nowhere else. The Gemara is the centuries-long rabbinic discussion of the Mishnah, conducted in the academies of Babylonia (the Bavli, compiled c. 500 CE) and the Land of Israel (the Yerushalmi, compiled c. 400 CE). It is in Aramaic with Hebrew quotations of biblical and Mishnaic material. The Babylonian Talmud is the more developed and is the authoritative one for Halachic decision-making. The Yerushalmi is the more elliptical and is studied especially for its insights into the Land of Israel and for the rulings preserved nowhere else. heading How the Talmud Is Studied How the Talmud Is Studied paragraph Traditionally in chevruta, paired study, with a [Rashi](/glossary.xml#letter-R) commentary on the inner side of the page and a [Tosafot](/glossary.xml#letter-T) commentary on the outer side. The Vilna edition (printed 1880–1886) is the standard layout. The [Steinsaltz](/glossary.xml#letter-A) edition and the ArtScroll Schottenstein edition both provide English translation and explanation; both are revolutionary in opening the Talmud to learners without a [yeshiva](/glossary.xml#letter-Y) background. Daf Yomi, the “page a day” program initiated in 1923 by [Rabbi Meir Shapiro](/glossary.xml#letter-M) of Lublin, takes seven years and five months to complete the Bavli. The 14th cycle began January 2020 and the 15th will begin in 2027. Traditionally in chevruta, paired study, with a Rashi commentary on the inner side of the page and a Tosafot commentary on the outer side. The Vilna edition (printed 1880–1886) is the standard layout. The Steinsaltz edition and the ArtScroll Schottenstein edition both provide English translation and explanation; both are revolutionary in opening the Talmud to learners without a yeshiva background. Daf Yomi, the “page a day” program initiated in 1923 by Rabbi Meir Shapiro of Lublin, takes seven years and five months to complete the Bavli. The 14th cycle began January 2020 and the 15th will begin in 2027. heading What the Talmud Is Not What the Talmud Is Not paragraph The Talmud is not only a legal code; it is also [aggadah](/glossary.xml#letter-A) (narrative, ethics, theology, folklore) interwoven with [halacha](/glossary.xml#letter-H) (law). It is not a settled book to be read; it is a conversation to be entered. The arguments are preserved as arguments; the minority opinions are preserved alongside the majority; the unresolved questions are preserved as unresolved (the Aramaic [teyku](/glossary.xml#letter-T), “let the difficulty stand,” appears throughout). To learn Talmud is to learn how to think Jewishly. The Talmud is not only a legal code; it is also aggadah (narrative, ethics, theology, folklore) interwoven with halacha (law). It is not a settled book to be read; it is a conversation to be entered. The arguments are preserved as arguments; the minority opinions are preserved alongside the majority; the unresolved questions are preserved as unresolved (the Aramaic teyku, “let the difficulty stand,” appears throughout). To learn Talmud is to learn how to think Jewishly. heading Where Denominations Diverge Where Denominations Diverge paragraph Talmud study is central to [Orthodox](/glossary.xml#letter-O) education and increasingly significant in Conservative and [Reform](/glossary.xml#letter-R) rabbinical training. The Reform movement’s historic ambivalence about Talmudic authority has shifted; the Conservative movement has long given Talmud serious place. The Yeshivat Maharat ([Modern Orthodox](/glossary.xml#letter-M) women’s rabbinical school), the [Pardes](/glossary.xml#letter-P) Institute, the Hadar Institute, and Yeshivat Hadar all teach intensive Talmud across the denominational spectrum. Talmud study is central to Orthodox education and increasingly significant in Conservative and Reform rabbinical training. The Reform movement’s historic ambivalence about Talmudic authority has shifted; the Conservative movement has long given Talmud serious place. The Yeshivat Maharat (Modern Orthodox women’s rabbinical school), the Pardes Institute, the Hadar Institute, and Yeshivat Hadar all teach intensive Talmud across the denominational spectrum. heading Sources Sources paragraph Mishnah and Talmud Bavli, full corpus. Mishnah and Talmud Bavli, full corpus. paragraph Adin Steinsaltz, The Essential Talmud and Reference Guide to the Talmud. Adin Steinsaltz, The Essential Talmud and Reference Guide to the Talmud. paragraph Adin Steinsaltz, Introduction to the Talmud — English Full Size History, Personalities and Background. Adin Steinsaltz, Introduction to the Talmud — English Full Size History, Personalities and Background. paragraph [21 Talmud Facts Every Jew Should Know](https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4617586/jewish/21-Talmud-Facts-Every-Jew-Should-Know.htm) — Chabad.org. 21 Talmud Facts Every Jew Should Know — Chabad.org. paragraph [Rashi](https://www.sefaria.org/topics/rashi) — Sefaria. Rashi — Sefaria. paragraph [The Two Talmuds](https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/718279/jewish/The-Two-Talmuds.htm) — Chabad.org. The Two Talmuds — Chabad.org. paragraph [Adin Steinsaltz](https://jewishvirtuallibrary.org/adin-steinsaltz) — Jewish Virtual Library. Adin Steinsaltz — Jewish Virtual Library. heading Further Reading Further Reading paragraph Liel Leibovitz, How the Talmud Can Change Your Life. Liel Leibovitz, How the Talmud Can Change Your Life. paragraph Steinsaltz, A Reference Guide to the Talmud. Steinsaltz, A Reference Guide to the Talmud. paragraph Adin Steinsaltz, The Essential Talmud. Adin Steinsaltz, The Essential Talmud. paragraph Sefaria — the free online Talmud with translation and cross-references. Sefaria — the free online Talmud with translation and cross-references. essentials-essential-questions-who-is-a-jew Who is a Jew? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-who-is-a-jew.xml essentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-god What Does Judaism Teach About God? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-god.xml essentials-essential-questions-do-jews-believe-in-an-afterlife Do Jews Believe in an Afterlife? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-do-jews-believe-in-an-afterlife.xml essentials-essential-questions-why-do-jews-not-believe-in-jesus Why Do Jews Not Believe in Jesus? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-why-do-jews-not-believe-in-jesus.xml going-deeper-deeper-facts-the-oral-torah-and-its-authority The Oral Torah and Its Authority deeper /articles/going-deeper-deeper-facts-the-oral-torah-and-its-authority.xml going-deeper-deeper-facts-pirkei-avot Pirkei Avot deeper /articles/going-deeper-deeper-facts-pirkei-avot.xml going-deeper-deeper-facts-midrash Midrash deeper /articles/going-deeper-deeper-facts-midrash.xml Adin Steinsaltz עדין שטיינזלץ Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz (1937–2020) produced a monumental Hebrew translation and commentary on the entire Babylonian Talmud, later rendered into English, opening the Talmud to a generation of learners without a yeshiva background. essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article Avot אָבוֹת 'Fathers' — the Patriarchs Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov, and the name of the first blessing of the Amidah, which invokes them. Pirkei Avot, the Mishnah's tractate of ethical teachings, shares the name. Daf Yomi דַּף יוֹמִי 'The daily page' — the worldwide program of studying one Talmud folio each day, completing the entire Babylonian Talmud in about seven and a half years. calendar-daf-yomi-a-page-a-day Gemara גְּמָרָא The vast Aramaic discussion and analysis of the Mishnah, compiled around 500 CE; the Mishnah and Gemara together make up the Talmud. essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article Halacha הֲלָכָה Jewish law — literally "the way one walks" — the legal system that develops from the Torah's mitzvot through the Mishnah, Talmud, and the great codes; the movements differ on how binding it is, not on its centrality to the tradition. essentials-essential-questions-what-is-halacha Meir Shapiro מאיר שפירא Rabbi Meir Shapiro (1887–1933), rabbi of Lublin and founder of its great Chachmei Lublin yeshiva, introduced the Daf Yomi program in 1923 — a single page of Talmud studied each day by Jews worldwide, completing the entire Bavli every seven and a half years. essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article Mishnah מִשְׁנָה The first great written compilation of the Oral Torah, organized by Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi around 200 CE into six orders; together with the Gemara it forms the Talmud. essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article Mishnaic Hebrew לְשׁוֹן חֲזַ"ל leshon Chazal The Hebrew of the Mishnah and rabbinic literature — later and plainer than biblical Hebrew, and the gateway to studying rabbinic texts. Modern Orthodox Modern Orthodoxy is the stream of Orthodox Judaism that combines full Halachic observance with active engagement in general society, secular education, and often Zionism — distinct from Haredi communities that maintain greater separation from the surrounding culture. essentials-essential-judaica-kippah Oral Torah תורה שבעל פה Torah she-be'al peh The body of interpretation and law that tradition holds was given at Sinai alongside the Written Torah and transmitted by the sages, eventually recorded in the Mishnah and Talmud. It is the foundation of how the written text is read and applied. going-deeper-deeper-facts-the-oral-torah-and-its-authority Orthodox Judaism Orthodox Judaism holds Halacha as fully binding and the Shulchan Aruch as its canonical code; it spans Haredi and Hasidic communities as well as Modern Orthodoxy, and is the starting point from which this Field Guide is written, even as it engages seriously with other denominations. how-to-use-this-field-guide Pardes פַּרְדֵּס Literally 'orchard.' In Jewish learning it is also the acronym for the four levels of Torah interpretation: peshat (plain sense), remez (hint), derash (interpretation), and sod (secret). Rashi רש״י Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki (1040–1105) of Troyes, France, is the single most influential commentator on the Tanakh and the Talmud; his terse, page-anchoring commentary appears alongside almost every printed edition of both. A New Jew encounters Rashi constantly — in every Chumash, on every page of Talmud. essentials-essential-judaica-mezuzah Reform Judaism Reform Judaism treats Halacha as a source of values and meaning rather than binding law, emphasizing individual autonomy, ethical monotheism, and tikkun olam; it was the first movement to fully recognize patrilineal descent and ordain women as rabbis. how-to-use-this-field-guide Sanhedrin סַנְהֶדְרִין The great court of ancient Israel — seventy-one sages who served as the supreme authority in Jewish law during the Second Temple period and after. Shabbat שַׁבָּת The seventh day — the weekly day of rest from Friday sunset to Saturday nightfall, marked by candle lighting, kiddush, festive meals, and rest from creative work. where-to-start-your-first-shabbat Talmud תלמוד The vast rabbinic work — the Mishnah together with the Gemara's discussion of it — that develops the Oral Torah into Jewish law and thought. It is the central text of Jewish study after the Bible itself. essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article Talmud Bavli תלמוד בבלי The Babylonian Talmud, completed around 500 CE in the academies of Babylonia — the more extensive of the two Talmuds and the authoritative one for Jewish law. essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article Talmud Yerushalmi תלמוד ירושלמי The Jerusalem Talmud, compiled in the Land of Israel around 400 CE — shorter and terser than the Babylonian Talmud, and studied as its important counterpart. essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article Tosafot תוספות 'Additions' — the medieval school of Talmud commentary by the successors of Rashi (many of them his descendants), printed on the outer margin of every standard Talmud page. Yehudah HaNasi יהודה הנשיא Known simply as "Rabbi," Yehudah HaNasi (c. 135–217 CE) compiled the Mishnah around 200 CE in the Land of Israel, organizing centuries of oral tradition into the six orders that remain the skeleton of Jewish law to this day. essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article aggadah אגדה The non-legal portions of rabbinic literature — the stories, ethics, theology, and biblical interpretation woven through the Talmud and Midrash. Its counterpart is halacha, the legal material. chevruta חַבְרוּתָא A study partner, and the paired, out-loud style of learning that is the basic unit of Talmud study — from the Aramaic for 'friendship.' Two learners argue a text into clarity. community-chevra-and-chevruta megillah מְגִלָּה A scroll — most famously the Megillah, the scroll of Esther read aloud on Purim; the Five Megillot are the biblical scrolls read across the holiday cycle. going-deeper-deeper-judaica-megillot seder סֵדֶר Literally 'order.' Most often the Passover-night ritual meal that retells the Exodus in fifteen ordered steps; the word also names the six divisions of the Mishnah and any fixed session of study. teyku תיקו The Talmud's formula for a question left standing unresolved — 'let it stand.' Tradition playfully reads it as an acronym: the prophet Elijah will one day answer all unresolved questions. yeshiva ישיבה An academy of intensive Torah and Talmud study (plural yeshivot), traditionally built around chevruta partner learning; from a root meaning 'to sit.' parent Torah & Texts /sections/torah-texts.xml related Who is a Jew? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-who-is-a-jew.xml related What Does Judaism Teach About God? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-god.xml related Do Jews Believe in an Afterlife? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-do-jews-believe-in-an-afterlife.xml related Why Do Jews Not Believe in Jesus? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-why-do-jews-not-believe-in-jesus.xml related The Oral Torah and Its Authority /articles/going-deeper-deeper-facts-the-oral-torah-and-its-authority.xml related Pirkei Avot /articles/going-deeper-deeper-facts-pirkei-avot.xml related Midrash /articles/going-deeper-deeper-facts-midrash.xml