An Overview of Fundamental Articles in Talmūd (Mishnā)

Abstract

Among the Jews, The Old Testament has the same status as the status of The Holy Quran for the Muslims. According to the Jews, God gave Moses (AS) the Bible as a scripture and also gave him another oral law. The oral law is passed down from generation to generation through the elders and the oral law is definite and obligatory for the Jews. The Jewish scholars believe that oral law provides the complete interpretation of Jewish sharī‘ah. This oral law was handed over to Yūsha‘ bin Nūn by Moses (AS), its initial script is called Mishnā which was published in 70 CE. The description of Mishnā is called Gemārā which was published in 200 CE. The combination of script (Mishnā) and its description (Gemārā) is called Talmud which was published in 400 to 500 CE. Talmud is considered to be the most authoritative text for the Jews. This article will give a brief overview of all volumes of Mishnā. These volumes include Zerēm (order of seeds), Mo‘id (festivals), Nashīm (Women), Nazīkīn (demages), Kedāshīm (holy ones), and Tohūrat (purities). This article will provide enough discussions in making researchers understand the theme of Talmud.