We learn Gemara, which is a strange literary work with much complexity and distraction. We as a people focus on learning Gemara because it teaches both the laws of Judaism with the values of how to be a good Jew. In doing so we join a conversation that spans generations and find our place within a chain of Mesorah.

What is the purpose of Gemara?

The Gemara, which in Aramaic means "to study and to know" is a collection of scholarly discussions on Jewish law dating from around 200 to 500AD. The discussions pick up on statements in the Mishnah (1) but refer to other works including the Torah.

Why do we learn Torah?

According to Rabbinic Judaism, the study is ideally done for the purpose of the mitzvah ("commandment") of Torah study itself. This practice is present to an extent in all religious branches of Judaism and is considered of paramount importance among religious Jews.

What is the difference between Gemara and Talmud?

Both these synonymous terms derive from words meaning "study" or "learning." "Talmud" is Hebrew, whereas "Gemara" (in the present sense) is found only in the Aramaic dialect of the Babylonian Talmud. The Talmud is composed in a mixture of Hebrew and Aramaic (the latter was the spoken vernacular of Babylonian Jews).

What is Gemara And Mishnah?

The Mishnah is the original written version of the oral law and the Gemara is the record of the rabbinic discussions following this writing down. It includes their differences of view. The Talmud can also be known by the name Shas.

Basics of Emunah #21: Why Do We Learn Gemarah by Rabbi YY Jacobson

45 related questions found

What is a gentile person?

Gentile, person who is not Jewish. The word stems from the Hebrew term goy, which means a “nation,” and was applied both to the Hebrews and to any other nation. The plural, goyim, especially with the definite article, ha-goyim, “the nations,” meant nations of the world that were not Hebrew.

What is the focus of the basic teachings of Judaism?

The main teachings of Judaism are about God, that there is only one God and that god is Yahweh. Only God created the universe and only He controls it. Judaism also teaches that God is spiritual and not physical. Jews believe that God is one – a unity: He is one whole, complete being.

What is the difference between the Torah and the Bible?

The main difference between the Hebrew Bible and Torah is that the Hebrew bible is the first sacred book of the Jewish people. ... The Torah is one of the sections of the Hebrew Bible, and it is again divided into five divisions. The Torah contains Numbers, Exodus, Leviticus, Genesis, and Deuteronomy.

Who wrote the Torah?

Composition. The Talmud holds that the Torah was written by Moses, with the exception of the last eight verses of Deuteronomy, describing his death and burial, being written by Joshua. Alternatively, Rashi quotes from the Talmud that, "God spoke them, and Moses wrote them with tears".

How does Judaism embody the importance of actions over beliefs?

Judaism takes a third path. ... Hence Judaism's entire raison d'être is dealing with the material, man's baser instincts, the power of the material in our lives, and imbuing these forces and realities with a higher purpose, hence the obvious emphasis on actions over disembodied beliefs.

Why is the Mishnah important?

Content and purpose. The Mishnah teaches the oral traditions by example, presenting actual cases being brought to judgment, usually along with (i) the debate on the matter, and (ii) the judgment that was given by a notable rabbi based on halakha, mitzvot, and spirit of the teaching ("Torah") that guided his decision.

What does the Torah teach us?

They believe that the Torah shows how God wants Jews to live. It contains 613 commandments and Jews refer to the ten best known of these as the ten 10 statements. The Torah is written in Hebrew, the oldest of Jewish languages. It is also known as Torat Moshe, the Law of Moses.

Where do Jews worship?

Jewish people worship in holy places known as synagogues, and their spiritual leaders are called rabbis. The six-pointed Star of David is the symbol of Judaism.

Does the original Torah still exist?

Manuscripts earlier than the 13th century are very rare. The majority of the manuscripts have survived in a fragmentary condition. The oldest complete and still kosher Torah scroll still in use has been carbon-dated to around 1250 and is owned by the Jewish community of the northern Italian town of Biella.

How similar is the Quran to the Bible?

One story in the Quran and the Bible share strong resemblances, although they are placed at different times and attributed to different characters. The Bible story features Gideon from the Book of Judges and the Quran story features Talut (usually translated as Saul).

What religion is the Torah from?

The Torah has central importance in Jewish life, ritual and belief. Some Jews believe that Moses received the Torah from God at Mount Sinai, whilst others believe that the text was written over a long period of time by multiple authors.

What is the importance of teaching Judaism?

The most important teaching of Judaism is that there is one God, who wants people to do what is just and compassionate. Judaism teaches that a person serves God by learning the holy books and doing what they teach. These teachings include both ritual actions and ethical interpretative frameworks.

Why are the core ethical teachings of Judaism important?

The core ethical teachings of Judaism are the Commandments of the Torah, the Prophetic Vision and the Book of Proverbs. These ethical teachings are all ultimately derived from the Jewish Bible or Tanakh. The importance of these teachings are to provide Jewish adherents with informed moral choices.

How is Judaism taught?

Judaism is taught in a school subject called Jewish studies (“židovská výchova” and “židovská studia”) and in Hebrew classes. ... As such, it is open for children of different Jewish backgrounds. Pupils and students learn the Jewish tradition, basic principles of religious practice, Jewish ethics and Jewish history.

What Jesus said about Gentiles?

In Matthew 8:11, Jesus stated that, in heaven, many Gentiles will dine together with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. As mentioned earlier, Jews and Gentiles didn't dine together, yet Jesus envisioned a day when Gentiles would dine with the Jewish Patriarchs.

Does it say when Jesus was born in the Bible?

25 is not the date mentioned in the Bible as the day of Jesus's birth; the Bible is actually silent on the day or the time of year when Mary was said to have given birth to him in Bethlehem. The earliest Christians did not celebrate his birth. ... 25 became known as Jesus's birthday.

Why is Gentiles capitalized in the Bible?

When Gentile is a noun, it's usually capitalized, and it's most frequently used to contrast a Christian with a Jew. ... More generally, gentile refers to a person who doesn't acknowledge a particular god or belief.

What is the main message of the Torah?

The principal message of the Torah is the absolute unity of God, His creation of the world and His concern for it, and His everlasting covenant with the people of Israel.

What are the 7 Laws of Moses?

The Seven Laws of Noah include prohibitions against worshipping idols, cursing God, murder, adultery and sexual immorality, theft, eating flesh torn from a living animal, as well as the obligation to establish courts of justice.