Mishneh

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A collection of oral law interpretations written down for educational purposes within Jewish tradition
2. A body of work that codifies rabbinic discussions and legal principles important in Jewish law and practice
3. A key text serving as a major legal source, influencing later rabbinic literature and Jewish legal thought

Etymology: Mishnah is a Hebrew word meaning "repetition" or "study by repetition," from the root shanah, "to repeat" or "to learn." Its spelling in English varies (Mishna, Mishnah, Mishneh), and the Hebrew form is actually "mishnah" with the final consonant heh, so "mishneh" is a variant transliteration. The sense developed because oral teaching was passed on by memorization and recitation, and the repeated recitation of material became the name for the material itself. The collection was compiled around 200 CE by Rabbi Judah ha-Nasi in Roman-ruled Palestine. Its teachings had circulated orally for generations, and the editors arranged them into six orders covering agriculture, festivals, women, damages, holy things, and purity. Its importance lies in being the foundation of the Talmud, since later rabbinic commentary (the Gemara) was built around its text.

Synonyms: repetition, review, recap