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 III

RABBINISM (b)

Extraordinary group of eminent Rabbis who arose after the catastrophe of 70—Their new conception of the future of Israel—The Torah (Law of Moses) and other writings of the Old Testament from the days of Ezra had been esteemed ever more and more highly—The "Halachah" or (Rules round the Torah) gradually multiplied—The elaboration of these "Halachah" and "Haggadah" (traditions) formed the "Mishnah"—this work roughly occupied the new Jewish schools during the whole of the second century—Explanation of term "Mishnah"—The next two or three centuries were occupied by the Rabbis in their schools of Palestine and Babylonia in a further commentary on the "Mishnah"—This second work of the Rabbis was termed the "Gemara"       342

IV

THE TALMUD

Portions of the "Talmud" had existed before 70—probably some few of the "Halachah" and "Haggadah" even dating from the days of Moses—some from the times of the Judges, and others belonging to the schools of the Prophets—In the times of Ezra arose the strange and unique "Guild of Scribes," devoted to the study and interpretation of the sacred writings and the traditions which had gathered round them in past ages—R. Hillel a little before the Christian era began the task of arranging the results of the labours of the scribes—R. Akiba after 70 continued the work of arrangement, but was interrupted—His fame and story—R. Meir further worked at the same task, which was finally completed by R. Judah the Holy, who generally arranged the Mishnah in the form in which it has come down to us—This "Mishnah" served as the text for the great academies of Palestine and Babylonia to work on in the third and two following centuries—Their writings are known as the "Gemara"—The Mishnah and Gemara together form the Talmud—A picture of the great Rabbinic academies of Palestine and Babylonia—Their methods of study       347

V

HOW THE TEXT OF THE BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT WAS PRESERVED

Description of the Massorah—The work of the Massorites in the preservation of the text of the sacred books—Present condition of the Massorah       361