Rabbinic (70 BCE-700 CE)

 

HISTORY

Following the Destruction of the Temple in 70 CE, the rabbis sought to develop a Judaism that could exist without a Temple. Fearing the God no longer dwelled in their midst, the Mishnah and the Talmud thereafter developed a system of practicing Judaism and worshipping God. The Sages found within the Mishnah and Talmud were of various schools of thought, all of which are accounted for in the texts themselves. These discussions and resolutions helped shape the Judaism that exists today.

The Mishnah and Talmud represent the Oral Law of Judaism and represent commentary on the Torah, explaining how the commandments are to be observed. The Mishnah, which preceded Talmud, represents a legal commentary to the Torah and outlines how one can live Jewishly, in response to a post-Temple world. The Talmud include the Mishnah and the Gemara, which is an interpretation of the Mishnah.