BETWEEN THE BIBLE & TALMUD
Our class this morning was quite dynamic. Dr. Deborah Weissman was born in New York City and settled in Israel in 1972. Her Ph.D is from Hebrew University on the social history of Jewish women’s education. She is a founding member of Kehillat Yedudya, and Orthodox synagogue in Bak’a. Debbie is involved with Jewish religious feminism, interfaith dialogue and the religious peace movement.
We easily understand what is meant by Bible. Yet what many of us do not realize is that not all texts found in the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures are shared in common. The Roman Catholic tradition includes material called the apocrypha which are not included in Jewish tradition or in Protestant tradition. Some books of the Old Testament have extra chapters, verses and phrases which are not agreed upon. The books of the Old Testament are found in a different order in Christian and in Jewish scriptures. Christians interpret the Old Testament as a precursor to the arrival of Jesus Christ, Jews do not. So, the term "Bible" is not as straight forward as one might think.
Jewish writings are even more complex. There is Torah which Christians tend to think of as "The Law" which Jews must obey. Jews view the Torah as a precious gift given by God. Torah includes scriptures (the first five books of the Old Testament) as well as the writings and commentaries on these scriptures and on life situations. Torah is scripture, poetry, wisdom and reasoning.
Within Torah there is "Talmud," the conversations of the rabbis from the second century CE, conversations which sought to understand and apply the scriptures to every life situation. "Midrash" is a Jewish process which examines the scriptures and the commentaries about the scriptures word by word, line by line in order to gain greater understanding of the nuance of words and context. Then there is "Mishnah" which is a thematic examination of Jewish scripture. i.e. Mishnah might examine all references in the scriptures and in the interpretations of scripture and in the commentaries upon scripture concerning marriage and marriage from every angle in order to understand and apply the right doctrine and practice concerning marriage.
We are all these very details examinations made? And questions asked? In order to serve God faithfully. In order to please God fully. Traditionally, Jews view the "Torah" (the collection of scriptures and conversation and commentaries as 1. A legally binding document for the practising Jew, 2. A love letter from God, and 3. As poetry to be appreciated and lifted up. Interesting is that in the study of Talmud the minority opinion is always recorded because there might be something worth hearing or learning from the minority, even though it follows the practice of majority rule.
We easily understand what is meant by Bible. Yet what many of us do not realize is that not all texts found in the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures are shared in common. The Roman Catholic tradition includes material called the apocrypha which are not included in Jewish tradition or in Protestant tradition. Some books of the Old Testament have extra chapters, verses and phrases which are not agreed upon. The books of the Old Testament are found in a different order in Christian and in Jewish scriptures. Christians interpret the Old Testament as a precursor to the arrival of Jesus Christ, Jews do not. So, the term "Bible" is not as straight forward as one might think.
Jewish writings are even more complex. There is Torah which Christians tend to think of as "The Law" which Jews must obey. Jews view the Torah as a precious gift given by God. Torah includes scriptures (the first five books of the Old Testament) as well as the writings and commentaries on these scriptures and on life situations. Torah is scripture, poetry, wisdom and reasoning.
Within Torah there is "Talmud," the conversations of the rabbis from the second century CE, conversations which sought to understand and apply the scriptures to every life situation. "Midrash" is a Jewish process which examines the scriptures and the commentaries about the scriptures word by word, line by line in order to gain greater understanding of the nuance of words and context. Then there is "Mishnah" which is a thematic examination of Jewish scripture. i.e. Mishnah might examine all references in the scriptures and in the interpretations of scripture and in the commentaries upon scripture concerning marriage and marriage from every angle in order to understand and apply the right doctrine and practice concerning marriage.
We are all these very details examinations made? And questions asked? In order to serve God faithfully. In order to please God fully. Traditionally, Jews view the "Torah" (the collection of scriptures and conversation and commentaries as 1. A legally binding document for the practising Jew, 2. A love letter from God, and 3. As poetry to be appreciated and lifted up. Interesting is that in the study of Talmud the minority opinion is always recorded because there might be something worth hearing or learning from the minority, even though it follows the practice of majority rule.
posted by Philip | 9:10 a.m.
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