The Mishnah and Midrash

The Mishnah and Midrash

1. In the 1st Century CE the Promised Land (Israel) the land of the Holy Temple which was the centre for Jewish worship was part of the Roman Empire. However in 700CE the Jews rebelled against the Roman overlords and during the ensuing war the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed and the Jews were scattered (known as the dispersion)

   • Due to this Judaism could have disappeared like some many other ancient religions, however it survived because it adapted in the new circumstances.
     • Synagogues were built in communities all around the world and became the new focus.
     • Groups of scholars (Tannaim) continued to come together and they formed academies where they concentrated on forming guidance and instruction for the dispersed Jews.
       • In the rcentury CE the production of the Mishnah and Midrash was a huge attempt at forming guidance and instructions for the dispersed Jews by the Tannaim.

2. The Mishnah is a record of legal discussions which took place in the academies. Literally means 'passed on tradition) A list/book of legal records.

   • These legal discussions had became highly complex by the third century (aided by the Midrash or interpretations of the Tenakh.) They were preserved orally however the time had come to compile them into a written record.
     • Ealier attempts to organise them failed due to them not being organised in subject matter. There needed to be an authoritative record of debates, together with the decisions by the most respected Tannaim on each subject.
       • Final text compiled around 200CE completed by Judah ha Nasi head of the Jewish court (Sanhedrin). Divided into six sections oe orders known as Sedarim. Each order contains a number of tractates (sections) and each tractate is divided into chapters (63 tractates, 53 chapters)
         • Zeraim (seeds) Deals with blessings and agricultural laws. Linked due to food being a gift form God. Contains laws on giving food to poor, not mixing wool and linen or sowing certain seeds together etc..
         • Mo'ed (Fixed Seasons) festival laws. Laws on Sabbath, festival days and fast days. Discussion on activities that are melakhot (forbidden on Sabbath.) Also obligation to remove hametz (leaven) from the house at Pesach.
         • Nashim (Women) Regulation of marriage and divorce. e.g. Discusses the get (divorce document) and laws on Levirate Marriage (childless widow marrying deceased husband's brother to carry on family name). Also discusses potion given to females suspected of adultery.
         • Nezkin (damages) Civil and criminal law including punishments and idolatry. e.g. outlines capital punishment, lashing, exile etc. Discusses law about property, rights of workers, buying and selling.
         • Tohorot (cleanliness) Ritual purity (many laws irrelevant after destruction of the Temple but still important.) Rules on menstruation and the mikveh.
         • Kodashim (holy things) Sacrifices and rituals of the Temple, kosher and pasul (invalid) sacrifices are discussed. Kashrut laws are discusses. Description of the layout of the Second Temple in this order.

3. The Midrash is the Rabbinic interpretation of the Tenakh.

   • Convinced that the Bible/Torah was sacred and through careful study it could provide knowledge about the will of God and daily guidance.
     • Known as the Midrashim the studies include stories, legends, parables and moral regulations all based on the Tenakh.
   • Considered to be part of the Oral Torah.
   • There are 13 rules of interpretation- to provide a basis for strong tradition of Jewish learning and to ensure the survival of the whole tradition.

4. After the final contents of the Tenakh was determined there were other matters. Organised to ease life in the Diaspora (dispersion).

   • Pattern for regular prayer was established as well as Old Temple rituals being adapted for synagogue use.
     • Teachings of respected scholars (Hillel and Shammai) not forgotten.
   • The supreme court for Jewish people (the Sanhedrin) re-established and head of Sanhedrin (the Nasi) recognised as supreme head of the entire Jewish community.
     • Nasi organised collection of taxes, appointment of local judges and contact between Jewish communities.