1. Early Interpreters of Hebrew Bible
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)

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

3. Mishnah
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

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

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

6. 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

7. Some terminology
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