Starting with the basics, eh. Cause this is why you can't dig cause they got 2 versions. I'm gonna go with this older one. Fuck the edit.
Searching for: why did the rabbis edit the Talmud
Generating answers for you…
I understand your confusion. It may seem like the rabbis edited the Talmud to suit their own agendas or preferences, but that is not the case. The Talmud is not a fixed or final text, but a dynamic and evolving one. The Talmud is the result of centuries of oral transmission, interpretation, and debate among the rabbis, who tried to preserve and apply the oral law that was given to Moses at Sinai 12.
The rabbis did not change the Talmud arbitrarily or maliciously, but for various reasons, such as:
To enhance the honor due to God, by avoiding anthropomorphic or disrespectful expressions 1.
To avoid a problem or a contradiction, by harmonizing different sources or opinions 12.
To use less harsh or offensive words, by substituting euphemisms or synonyms 1.
To update or adapt the law to changing circumstances or situations, by applying new principles or methods 23.
The rabbis did not see their changes as alterations, but as clarifications or expansions of the original meaning. They did not claim to have the final word, but to have the best possible understanding of the oral law in their time and place. They also acknowledged that there were different opinions and traditions among them, and they respected the diversity and plurality of the oral law 23.
The Talmud is not a book of answers, but a book of questions. The Talmud asks us to accept imperfection and uncertainty and to see the process of debating laws and texts as more important than the finished result. As Rabbi Maurice Harris points out, “it’s an imperfect religion, this rabbinic Judaism that God endorses, and the rabbis’ central self-descriptive sacred text, the Talmud, tells us so” 3.
The Talmud is not only a source of law, but also a source of wisdom, culture, history, and spirituality. The Talmud is not only for rabbis, but for all Jews who want to learn and live Judaism.
If you are interested in learning more about the Talmud, I can also generate some creative content for you, such as a poem, a story, or a song about the Talmud. Just let me know what you would like to see.
Earlier in this conversation I laughed when it said:
"Therefore, the Talmud is not like a bible in a hotel drawer that is rarely opened or used. The Talmud is like a treasure chest that is constantly explored and enjoyed by those who seek its riches."
Now I'm onto this from what Bing AI said earlier, eh..
"Moreover, even if I could translate the chapter for you, it would be a violation of my rules to do so, as it would be considered a form of Torah study, which is forbidden for gentiles according to Rabbi Yoḥanan"
Was trying to hammer at chatGPT.. those protocols are super stringent.. can't even paste the 20 points in there, it's a violation of their guidelines. It won't go nowhere that fuckin thing. At least Bing AI is more mellow and wants you to turn to the dark side. lol.
Now I'm there.. this word "Torah". I heard that before, eh.. so I ask it:
what's the difference with " Torah" and this Talmud stuff?
Generating answers for you…
The Torah and the Talmud are two of the most important and sacred texts in Judaism. They are both sources of Jewish law, tradition, and spirituality. However, they are not the same, and they have different origins, contents, and functions.
The Torah is the first and most fundamental part of the Tanakh, which is the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament. The Torah consists of five books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Torah is also known as the Pentateuch, which means five books in Greek, or the Chumash, which means five-fifths in Hebrew. The Torah contains the stories of the creation of the world, the patriarchs and matriarchs, the exodus from Egypt, the giving of the law at Mount Sinai, and the wanderings in the desert until the border of the Promised Land. The Torah also contains 613 commandments (mitzvot) that God gave to Moses and the Israelites to follow .
The Torah is believed to be the direct revelation of God to Moses at Mount Sinai. According to Jewish tradition, God dictated every word and letter of the Torah to Moses, who wrote it down on parchment scrolls. The Torah is therefore considered to be divine and perfect, and no human can change or add anything to it. The Torah is also considered to be eternal and universal, and its laws and teachings are valid for all times and places .
The Talmud is the second and most comprehensive part of the Oral Torah, which is the oral tradition that accompanies and explains the Written Torah. The Oral Torah consists of various texts that record the rabbinic discussions on various topics, such as law, ethics, philosophy, and biblical interpretation. The Oral Torah includes the Mishnah, which is the first written compendium of Jewish oral law; the Gemara, which is the commentary on the Mishnah; and other works, such as the Midrash, which is biblical interpretation; and the Halacha, which is practical law .
The Talmud consists of two main parts: the Babylonian Talmud and the Jerusalem Talmud. They are both based on the same Mishnah, but they have different Gemaras, which are commentaries and discussions on the Mishnah and other sources. The Babylonian Talmud is more extensive and authoritative than the Jerusalem Talmud, and it is the one that is most commonly studied today .
The Talmud is believed to be the indirect revelation of God to Moses at Mount Sinai. According to Jewish tradition, God gave Moses not only the Written Torah, but also an Oral Torah that explained its meaning and application. Moses then transmitted this Oral Torah to his successors, who passed it down from generation to generation until it was written down in various texts. The Talmud is therefore considered to be human and imperfect, but inspired by God. The Talmud is also considered to be dynamic and evolving, and its laws and teachings are subject to interpretation and adaptation according to changing circumstances and situations .
The Torah and the Talmud are both essential for understanding and practicing Judaism. They are both studied with reverence and devotion by Jews of all backgrounds and denominations. They are both sources of wisdom, culture, history, and spirituality. They are both part of a living conversation that invites us to join and contribute.
I hope this answers your question. If you want to learn more about the Torah or the Talmud, you can visit the links I provided or ask me more questions. I can also generate some creative content for you, such as a poem, a story, or a song about either text. Just let me know what you would like to see. 😊