Talmud

Talmud (Hebrew, “teaching”), compilation of Jewish oral law and rabbinical teachings begun in the 5th century A.D. It has two parts: the Mishnah (oral law), written between A.D. 70 and 200, and the Gemara (commentary on the Mishnah), written between 200 and 500. In addition to commentary and debates on the details of Jewish law, the Gemara contains many traditional legends and stories. The Talmud consists of 63 sections (tractates), which are divided into 6 orders. Each order deals with a different subject, such as civil and criminal law and cleanliness. The study of the Talmud has been the core of Jewish education for over 1,000 years. After the Bible, the Talmud stands as the second most important and influential written work of the Jewish religion.