Mishnah

The Mishnah, which means "repetition" or "study" in Hebrew, is a crucial book in Judaism. Rabbi Judah ha-Nasi put it together around 200 CE. It carefully organizes and explains the Oral Torah, which holds lots of Jewish traditions and interpretations passed down over time.

The Mishnah links the written Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) with the Talmud, a later book that dives deeper into the Mishnah's teachings. Because of its organized structure and clear style, the Mishnah is really important in Jewish learning and legal practice.

Without assistance, interpreting the Mishnah may be difficult due to its short and frequently disguised language. This resulted in the creation of the Gemara, a companion work that offers in-depth discussion, analysis, and clarifications of the Mishnah's teachings. The Mishnah and the Gemara together create the Talmud, which is the main text in Rabbinic Judaism.

People study the Mishnah because it's a key part of Jewish writings and forms the base of the Talmud. Since the time of the earliest Reformers, the Reform Movement has seen itself as an extension of Rabbinic Judaism. They aim to make decisions based on Halachah, a set of Jewish laws. When Jews today study the Mishnah, it helps them connect more strongly with Jewish history and gives them a better understanding of sacred traditions.

Link to buy: https://www.amazon.com/Mishnah-Oral-Teachings-Judaism/dp/B000XOYAZ4

Link to read: https://www.sefaria.org/texts/Mishnah