Talmud is a compilation of Jewish Oral Tradition (Mishnah and Gemora) that took nearly 500 years to complete and records the arguments, discussions, and final decisions of Jewish scholars in Israel and Babylon (now Iraq) about how to practice Jewish life. While Judaism is rooted in the mitzvot of Torah, day-to-day Jewish life is detailed in Talmud. There are actually two Talmuds, the Jerusalem Talmud and the Babylonian Talmud. Most Jewish students learn from the Babylonian Talmud and this is what we also teach at J-SITE.
The Babylonian Talmud contains more than 2 million words and is larger than an encyclopedia. It includes every conceivable discussion on every aspect of every Jewish law. These discussions range from what constitutes a "cup" of wine on Passover to how early in the morning we can say the Shema. Talmud also includes fanciful stories called aggadot - stories about gigantic birds that can walk the length of Israel in two strides, worms used to cut the stones for building the Temple, and half-people/half-plant creatures.
An interesting fact about the Talmud is that its first page is not paginated as "aleph" or number one. Rather, the first page of Talmud is numbered as page 2 or "bet." The reasoning behind this is a reminder that no matter how expert one becomes in Talmud, there is still more to learn. Not surprisingly, therefore, it takes years before someone can say they have "learned" Talmud. Some people spend their entire lives in the study of Talmud.
Talmud is unique. There is no other text in human history like it and perhaps no better way to "train" one's brain to manage complex and conflicting points of view than the study of Talmud. Pick any page in Talmud and most likely you will find a discussion involving no less than half a dozen rabbis. Sometimes it's difficult even to understand who is disagreeing with whom and about what! But, there's more. Every page of Talmud also includes commentaries on the text, each commentary printed in its own box on the side or bottom of the page. It takes practice just to learn how to keep one finger on a particular line of Talmud text while locating Rashi's commentary with a thumb and checking a more contemporary commentary with the little finger.
J-SITE offers a course in Talmud for many reasons. One reason is because the study of Talmud prepares students for college in a way that simply is not possible through any other type of study or text. Planning a career in government, social work, law? Thinking about becoming a teacher, scientist, doctor, or engineer? Learning Talmud is at once the best way to sharpen your powers of critical analysis and enhance your ability to carry on creative and purposeful dialogue grounded in important human values.
If Torah is the heart of Judaism, then Talmud is its soul. Students exposed to Talmud begin to understand just how rich and pertinent to modern Jewish life the teachings of Judaism are. They become, in effect, participants in a conversation that has stretched through thousands of years and which explores Judaism's "take" on an enormous variety of political, social, ethical, environmental, and spiritual issues. It's exciting, challenging-and fun!
Dr. Gabe Goldman
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