THE MISHNAH Meaning and
Definition
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The Mishnah is a significant body of Jewish religious literature that serves as the cornerstone of the Oral Torah. It is a compilation of rabbinic teachings, discussions, and interpretations of the laws and customs found in the Hebrew Bible. Composed and redacted in the early centuries of the Common Era, the Mishnah contains six orders (Sedarim) divided into sixty-three tractates (Masechtot), covering a wide range of topics including prayers, dietary laws, Sabbath observance, civil laws, family matters, and more.
Unlike the written Torah, which is believed to have been given directly by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, the Mishnah represents the teachings of various rabbis and scholars who sought to interpret and apply the laws of the Torah to the changing circumstances faced by the Jewish community at the time. The Mishnah's authoritative status among Jews stems from the belief that the Oral Torah, upon which it is based, was also given to Moses alongside the Written Torah.
Written in Mishnaic Hebrew, the Mishnah adopts a concise style, utilizing precise wording and systematically presenting various opinions on the laws. It often concludes with a majority decision or the final ruling. The Mishnah's concise and terse language leaves certain details ambiguous, which subsequently led to the development of additional commentaries and discussions, notably the Talmud.
The Mishnah holds immense importance among Jewish scholars and religious leaders as it forms the basis of Jewish legal and ethical practices. It has had a lasting influence on the development of subsequent Jewish legal codes and customs, shaping Jewish religious life throughout history.
Common Misspellings for THE MISHNAH
- rhe mishnah
- fhe mishnah
- ghe mishnah
- yhe mishnah
- 6he mishnah
- 5he mishnah
- tge mishnah
- tbe mishnah
- tne mishnah
- tje mishnah
- tue mishnah
- tye mishnah
- thw mishnah
- ths mishnah
- thd mishnah
- thr mishnah
- th4 mishnah
- th3 mishnah
- the nishnah
- the kishnah
Etymology of THE MISHNAH
The word "Mishnah" (also spelled "Mishna" or "Mishne") comes from the Hebrew language. It is derived from the Hebrew root "sh-n-h", which means to teach or repeat. In Hebrew, "Mishnah" is a noun form of this root and can be translated as "teaching", "instruction", or "learning".
The Mishnah is an important Jewish legal text, considered the first major written compilation of the Jewish Oral Law. It was compiled and redacted by Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi (Judah the Prince) around 200 CE in ancient Israel. The Mishnah serves as the foundation for the Talmud, which is a later compilation of rabbinic commentary and analysis on the Mishnah.
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