The Hebrew Bible itself (e.g. Deuteronomy) Book of Jubilees (Israel, early 2nd c. BC) Philo of Alexandria (c. 20 BC-50 AD) Joseph bar Matthias (Rome, AD) Early Interpreters of Hebrew Bible

After 70 AD, rabbis become primary religious authorities in community Major works of period: Topical works: Mishnah, Talmud “With-Text” Commentaries: Midrash Classical Rabbinic Period (1st-11th c. AD)

Compilation of records of oral discussions of various laws mishnah = “oral instruction” Believed to have been compiled into final form by R. Judah ha-Nasi (“the Patriarch”) c. 200 AD Mishnah

Talmud Yerushalmi (Jerusalem Talmud, 370 AD) Talmud Bavli (Babylonian Talmud, 6th c. AD) Containing Mishnah and Gemara (“learning”) Talmud

Commentaries arranged around text. Best-known is Midrash Rabbah (“Great Commentary,” covering Torah and Five Scrolls) Midrash

halakhah - legal commentary aggadah - non-legal commentary: theology, lore, legends, sayings, prayer and praise This text: rules related to Passover and other sacrifices. Largely theoretical

Boraitha/Baraita: Section of rabbinic material resembling Mishnah, but not part of it, containing ruling or interpretation. Dates from c AD (Tannaitic period) Tana’im/Tanna’im: First generation of Jewish scholars of Hebrew Bible, active from c AD Hallel: Set of praise psalms (Psalms ) recited on major Jewish festivals Some terminology