EVOLUTION OF HALACHA
By: Kevin '11
EVOLUTION OF JEWISH LAW
Written law
- Consists of 5 books
- Given by God to Moses at Mount Sinnai
- The torah was given on the 6th day of Sivan 2448 years after Creation. This corresponds to early summer of the year 1313 BCE.
- Include all the biblical laws of Judaism
- It is simply a code that we are meant to live by. It dictates our lives, tells us what's allowed and whats forbidden, however it offers no further explanation or interpretation.
Oral Law
Mishnah:
- First part of the Talmud
- First written recording of the Oral Law
- It was chosen to be written down by Rabbi Yehudah Hanassi at about 220 CE
- Considered a secondary source
- Doesn't contain only one opinion, shows many
- It holds many commentaries on laws
- From the Mishnah, you can derive laws, based upon precedent
- Second part of the Talmud
- Is essentially a commentary on the Mishnah
- Made recently after the destruction of the Second Temple and was compiled by many Rabbis
- Obviously made after the Mishnah
- Still provides framework for various types of Judaism practiced today