BarbO says:
BTW, how many books comprise the Talmud?

Host Josh_Kulp says:
Barb, another good question <vbg>

Host Josh_Kulp says:
There are actually two Talmuds. One written in Israel called the Jerusalem Talmud. One written in Babylonia called the Babylonian Talmud (Bavli). Each Talmud has around 30 books in it.

BarbO says:
Is each book written by someone different or are they compilations of many teachers' lessons?

Host Josh_Kulp says:
The Talmud is not written by one person. It is a compilation of teachings and discussions and literature that was compiled over centuries. Most of the great rabbis who appear in the Talmud appear in every book.

Host Josh_Kulp says:
Some of you are probably wondering why Talmud is important to me as an American Jew living in the 21st century. Afterall, if I want to figure out whose property to return, I can just think about that on my own.

BarbO says:
But so much is still so relevant!

Host Josh_Kulp says:
The Talmud is the most important Jewish book in history, more important in many ways than the Torah. We understand the Torah through the Talmud. Afterall, Christians and Muslims also have the Torah. And yet we are very different from them. We are different because we see things through the eyes of the Talmud.

BarbO says:
Does the Talmud take the Torah and examine it line by line?

Shlomoh says:
and the Karites

Host Josh_Kulp says:
Right, Shlomoh. If you can not open the Talmud, then you can't join in a discussion with Jewish thinking as has occurred for centuries. You always have to rely on someone else telling you what Judaism thinks. When you learn Talmud from the original, you yourself can decide what Judaism had to say about many, many topics.

BarbO says:
But if you read the Talmud, you're also relying on someone else

Host Josh_Kulp says:
Barb, this is true. another good question :-)

Host Josh_Kulp says:
When I study Talmud, I not only talk to my students and my teachers, but I talk to people who have been dead for one or two thousand years. I literally can argue with them, agree with them, admire them, or be puzzled by them. But they become alive for me.

Shlomoh says:
And for all who study Talmud what an experience!

Susan2 says:
I thought Judaism didn't tell you things, but rather encouraged open debate.

Host Josh_Kulp says:
Susan, the Talmud is full of debate. Everything is arguments, disagreements. What is important is learning HOW they disagreed with each other.

Susan2 says:
I don't think any other religion allows, let alone encourages debate

BarbO says:
For instance?

Host Josh_Kulp says:
Meaning, what were the underlying assumptions to their arguments. How do Jews argue with each other. It is not the same as daily argument you might have with your friend.

Host Josh_Kulp says:
I hope maybe I have sparked a little interest in learning Talmud.

BarbO says:
You have definitely sparked an interest!

Dori says:
Yes, for me you have.

Host Josh_Kulp says:
I myself did not start learning until I was 22. This may sound young, but most people who learn Talmud start when they are much younger. It is never to late in life to start Jewish learning.

BarbO says:
Thank you for all your input into a fascinating subject.

Host Josh_Kulp says:
And once you learn a little bit, I think you will always want to learn more. Thank you all for coming to this chat tonight. It was great. I hope to meet you again online sometime. You are all invited to join us in the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem.