Definition

Noun: 1. A core Jewish legal text: The Mishnah is the first major written redaction of the Jewish oral traditions known as the Oral Torah. It is a compilation of legal opinions, debates, and teachings of rabbinic sages (Tannaim) from approximately 50 BCE to 200 CE. It forms the foundational text of Rabbinic Judaism and serves as the basis for the Talmud. 2. A specific teaching or paragraph: Within the text, a "mishnah" (plural: mishnayot) can also refer to an individual paragraph or unit of teaching.

Usage Examples

• Noun (as the text):
  • Students of Judaism often begin their study of Jewish law with the Mishnah.
  • The Mishnah is organized into six major orders, covering topics from agriculture to ritual purity.
• Noun (as a unit):
  • The rabbi asked the class to analyze a difficult mishnah from the Order of Nezikin (Damages).
  • This particular mishnah discusses the laws of lost property.

Advanced Usage

• "The Mishnah and the Gemara": This phrase refers to the two components of the Talmud. The Mishnah is the core text, and the Gemara is the later, extensive rabbinic analysis and commentary on the Mishnah.
  • The Talmud consists of the Mishnah and the accompanying Gemara.

Variants and Related Words

• Mishnaic (adjective): Pertaining to the Mishnah or its language and style.
  • The Mishnaic Hebrew used in the text differs from Biblical Hebrew.
• Mishnayot (noun, plural): The plural form of "mishnah" when referring to individual units.
• Talmud (noun): The central text of Rabbinic Judaism, comprising the Mishnah and its commentary, the Gemara.
• Tosefta (noun): A compilation of Jewish oral law from the same period as the Mishnah, often seen as a supplement to it.

Synonyms

• Oral Law (in its compiled form): Refers to the tradition of laws and interpretations believed to have been given to Moses orally, later codified in the Mishnah.
• Tannaitic compilation: A formal term indicating it was compiled by the Tannaim (rabbinic sages of the period).

Related Phrases

• To learn Mishnah: A common phrase meaning to study the text of the Mishnah.
  • He makes time every day to learn Mishnah.
• A commentary on the Mishnah: Refers to explanatory works written to elucidate the Mishnah's concise language, such as the commentary by Maimonides.
  • For beginners, it is helpful to use a commentary on the Mishnah.

Noun

1. the first part of the Talmud; a collection of early oral interpretations of the scriptures that was compiled about AD 200