Mishna ("Teaching," in Hebrew)

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MISHNA ("teaching," in Hebrew)

This word designates the traditional teaching of the Jewish religious law by written transmission, as opposed to the Mid-rash, which involves the interpretation of texts. It designates also the first part of the Talmud, composed by Juda Hanassi (Ha Nassi) in the second century. The latter eschewed apocalyptic traditions to concentrate only on teachings relative to the commandments of the Torah. The Mishna is divided into six "orders" (sedarim), or treatises, relating to different subjects of religious law.

SEE ALSO Talmud.

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