Jewish Ethics Sources of Ethics

Oral Tradition Written Tradition Tenach Talmud Torah Neviim Ketuvim Mishnah Gemara Collection of oral laws in 6 divisions Aramaic commentary on Mishnah showing its scriptural bases (Teaching) (Prophets) (Writings) 613 Mitzot (Commandments) Mitzvah (single commandment)

Written Tradition Tenach Rabbis of Yavneh completed compiling of Tenach in 100CE

Oral Tradition Talmud Gemara Mishnah Talmud ranks only Completed around 200CE Completed c.500CE It is an interpretation and development of the Torah Talmud ranks only second in authority To the scriptures Written 200-500CE Based on Torah and extended its base to apply to the whole of life in the contemporary world.

Talmud Mishnah Gemara Commentary of Rashi (1040 – 1105) Commentary of pupils of Rashi Mishnah Cross reference to Maimonides Commentary of Rav Nissim Gaon Gemara

Talmud The central text Traditional sources Modern commentary Action Science Public policy

Midrash (Hebrew) means To search To investigate Midrash attempts, through minute examination and interpretation of the Tenach, to bring out the deeper or ethical meaning of the text.

MIDRASH Can refer to a particular way of reading and interpreting a biblical verse. Thus we may say that the ancient rabbis provided Midrash to Scripture.

MIDRASH Can refer to a book – a compilation of Midrashic teaching. Thus we can say that “Genesis Rabbah” is a book that is a compilation of Midrash readings on the book of Genesis.

MIDRASH Can refer to a particular verse and its interpretation. Thus we can say “the Midrash on the verse Genesis 1:1 says that….

There are two types of Midrash Midrash Halachah Midrash Aggadah

Midrash Halachah An investigation or explanation of law. This deals mainly with the legal potions of the Torah.

Midrash Aggadah Stories that teach. This deals mainly with the story parts of the writings.

Halachah Halachah is a style of writing Aggadah is Another style Jewish Law (Legal tradition) Example of this style of writing Found in Torah Mishnah Aggadah is Another style of writing Example of this style of writing Found in Aggadah Story telling (non-legal tradition)

Halachah Aggadah Jewish Law (Legal tradition) Torah Mishnah Midrash is the method of retelling fundamental stories and their classical themes in ways that speak to the new times. Jewish Law (Legal tradition) Torah Mishnah Every new generation has to midrash its stories (Aggadah) Aggadah Story telling (non-legal tradition) Midrash: ancient writings, biblical commentary and interpretation

Oral Tradition Written Tradition Halachah Tenach Talmud Aggadah Jewish Law (Legal tradition) Oral Tradition Written Tradition Tenach Talmud Neviim Ketuvim Torah Mishnah Gemara Aggadah Story telling (non-legal tradition)