Talmud

The Talmud is one of the central texts of Judaism, providing interpretation, explanation, and guidance on how to apply the Torah. While the Torah sets out the laws, it often does not explain exactly how they are to be fulfilled. For example, the Torah commands Jews to wear tefillin, but the Talmud explains how this commandment should be carried out in practice. Rabbi Adin Even Israel Steinsaltz described the Talmud as, “If the Tenakh is the cornerstone of Judaism, then the Talmud is the central pillar, soaring up from the foundations and supporting the entire spiritual and intellectual edifice.” This highlights its foundational role in Jewish life, law, and thought.

The Talmud is sometimes described as timeless, but it can be difficult to interpret because it contains complex discussions and multiple viewpoints. Rabbi Dov Linzer emphasises that “The Talmud is really about the conversation, and the conversation never ends,” reflecting the dynamic and evolving nature of Jewish scholarly debate.

Structure: Mishnah and Gemara

The Talmud is divided into two main parts:

1. Mishnah – This section provides practical guidance on how to apply the commandments outlined in the Torah. It organises the Oral Law into concise legal rulings.

2. Gemara – Comprising commentaries by later rabbis, the Gemara explores the Mishnah in further detail, offering explanations, stories, and discussion. Together, the Mishnah and Gemara allow Jews to understand not only what the law is, but how it should be applied in a wide variety of situations.

This structure ensures that the Talmud is both a legal and a moral guide, and it models the Jewish tradition of scholarly argument and diverse interpretation.

The Talmud as a Living Document

The Talmud extends the Torah by applying its principles to new situations over time. It is considered a “living, breathing” document because it evolves through discussion and debate. This allows it to remain relevant for Jews living in different places and eras, including Diaspora communities, and encourages creative thinking about how to live according to God’s law.

The Talmud also preserves the Oral Torah, the teachings that, according to tradition, existed alongside the written Torah at Sinai. These oral explanations were compiled between the 2nd and 5th centuries CE, formalising centuries of rabbinical discussion and wisdom. Rabbi Wayne Dosick summarises this idea: “The laws of the written Torah did not cover situations that the people would face once they lived in towns and villages ... So God told Moses the laws for the future, but they were not written down.”

Authority and Application

The Talmud is a source of Jewish law (Halakha), providing the framework for living a correct and ethical life. It contains commentaries, elucidations, and references to the Torah and Tenakh, allowing readers to see the original scriptural authority behind each law. It is also a training text for rabbis, as the discussions and commentaries demonstrate how complex legal and moral questions have been debated and resolved over centuries. Key examples include the 39 categories of work forbidden on Shabbat (melachot), which show how oral discussion clarified the application of Torah laws in daily life.

Wisdom and Moral Guidance

The Talmud is not only legalistic; it includes stories, ethical teachings, and practical advice for everyday life. For instance, the tractate Pirke Avot contains wisdom about how to live a good and ethical life. The text encourages ongoing learning, reflection, and striving to emulate God, as Rav Judah taught: “It was also a way to be like God, for God too studies Torah, three hours a day” (Avodah Zarah 3b).

Through its combination of law, moral guidance, and debate, the Talmud connects Jews to centuries of scholarship, creating a link to all key thinkers and ensuring the tradition of interpretation continues today.