The Evolution Of Jewish Law
Ruby Faraday 2013
Some background information...
Revelation - Orthodox VS Reform
The Orthodox perspective is that the Torah was written by G-d and either given in parts or given all at once. Therefore the Laws and Mitvot are from God and this means that one must obey them. The Orthodox perspective is described as authoritative, binding and immutable.
The Reform perspective is that the Torah was not necessarily written by G-d but instead by people who were inspired or directed by G-d. Therefore Reform Jews don't believe they have to necessarily obey the Laws and Mitvot and they are not regarded as authoritative and binding.
Their conflicting ideologies can complicate Judaism as not all groups believe in the same things, or follow the same rules.
What is the Written Law?
What is the Oral Law?
Halacha
Mishna
Gemara
Talmud (times two!)
Talmud Yerushalmi: The Jerusalem Talmud compiled in approximately 350 CE by Rav Muna and Rav Yossi.
Talmud Bavli: The Babylonian Talmud compiled in approximately 500 CE by two Babylonian safes, Rav Ashi and Ravina.
The first complete edition of the Babylonian Talmud was printed in Venice by Daniel Bomberg in the 26th century, whilst the Vilna Talmud was later published in the 19th century.
Though there are two versions of the Talmud (as the Jews were living in different areas) the Talmud Bavli tends to be the superior and more complete of the two and is the one that is studied the most nowadays. This may also be due to the fact that it was written later on, and therefore it is considered more relevant to today. Perhaps this is also because there are more Jewish people living outside of Israel than in Israel.
Commentaries, Rashi and Tosafot
Codification of Jewish Law
Responsa
DJ Habers sick song (just for fun)
The Torah' s connected to the Mishna
And the Mishna's connected to the Gemara
·Mishna and Gemara together make the Talmud
And the Talmud is connected to Rashi
And Rashi's connected to the Tosafot
And Tosafot are connected to Mishneh Torah
·Mishneh Torah's connected to Shulchan Aruch
And then what follows is Responsa