The Talmud is not "the original bible," it is a series of discussions by rabbis
compiled during the second through sixth centuries. Actually, there are two
versions, one called the Jerusalem Talmud, the other the Babylonian Talmud.
These, together with a few other compilations, form the Rabbinic Writings that
are the basis for modern Judaism.

The Talmud is layered on top of the "Mishna," the "Oral Teachings" of Moses,
which traditionally is just as important as the written teachings (the Torah).
The Mishna was written down about 200 CE, and this started the process of
commentary that became the Talmud. However, it is often hard to tell what parts
of the Talmud are actually ancient traditions, and what was more contemporary.
Given that the Talmud was compiled roughly a thousand years after the Torah was
written down, its real hard to claim it pre-dated the Bible in any sense. The
scope of the Talmud is vast, covering all aspects of life, some parts still seem
fresh today, other parts were already archaic when it was compiled.


"katysails" wrote in message
...
I mispoke...the Talmud, not the Torah....

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