Gemara
Jump to: ISBEWebster'sThesaurusLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The Gemara is a critical component of the Talmud, which is a central text in Rabbinic Judaism. The Talmud consists of two parts: the Mishnah and the Gemara. The Mishnah, compiled around 200 AD by Rabbi Judah the Prince, is a written collection of Jewish oral traditions. The Gemara, on the other hand, is a commentary on the Mishnah, elaborating on its teachings and discussing various aspects of Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs, and history. The Gemara was developed over several centuries, with the Babylonian Gemara being completed around 500 AD and the Jerusalem Gemara around 400 AD.

The term "Gemara" itself is derived from the Aramaic word "gamar," meaning "to study" or "to complete." It reflects the Gemara's role in completing the study of the Mishnah by providing detailed analysis and discussion. The Gemara is written primarily in Aramaic, the lingua franca of the Jewish people during the time of its compilation.

While the Gemara is not a biblical text, it holds significant importance in Jewish tradition and religious practice. It serves as a guide for interpreting the Torah and applying its commandments to daily life. The discussions within the Gemara often reference biblical passages, providing insight into how Jewish scholars understood and applied Scripture.

From a Christian perspective, the Gemara is viewed as part of the broader context of Jewish tradition and thought. While it is not considered authoritative in the same way as the Bible, it offers valuable historical and cultural insights into the Jewish world during the time of Jesus and the early church. Understanding the Gemara can enhance one's comprehension of the New Testament, particularly in areas where Jesus and the apostles interacted with Jewish law and customs.

The Gemara's discussions often revolve around key biblical themes such as justice, mercy, and the nature of God. For example, the Gemara explores the concept of justice in the context of the biblical commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18). It delves into the practical implications of this commandment, examining how it should be applied in various situations.

Additionally, the Gemara addresses the interpretation of biblical laws, such as those found in the Ten Commandments. It provides detailed analysis and debate on how these laws should be understood and implemented, reflecting the diverse opinions and interpretations within the Jewish scholarly tradition.

The Gemara also contains narratives and parables that illustrate moral and ethical teachings. These accounts often draw on biblical characters and events, offering a deeper understanding of the lessons conveyed in Scripture. For instance, the Gemara might recount a account about King David to highlight themes of repentance and forgiveness, drawing on the biblical account of David's life.

In summary, the Gemara is a vital part of Jewish religious literature, offering commentary and interpretation of the Mishnah and, by extension, the Hebrew Bible. While not a biblical text itself, it provides valuable insights into the Jewish understanding of Scripture and its application to life. For Christians, studying the Gemara can enrich their understanding of the cultural and religious context of the Bible, particularly the New Testament.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(n.) The second part of the Talmud, or the commentary on the Mishna (which forms the first part or text).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
GEMARA

ge-ma'-ra.

See TALMUD.

Library

Judaism.
... It consists of the Mishna (vshnh ,, deuterosisRepetition of the Law), from the end
of the second century, and the Gemara (gmr' ie Perfect Doctrine, from gmr to ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 9 judaism.htm

Brief Outline of Ancient Jewish Theological Literature
... are the Mishnah; which I have written,' refers to the prophets and the Hagiographa;
while the words, that thou mayest teach them,' point to the Gemara. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 18 brief outline of.htm

The Talmud.
... where Jesus lived and taught. The second part of the Talmud, called the
Gemara (ie Conclusion, viz. of Rabbinical wisdom), or the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/the talmud.htm

List of Abbreviations Used in Reference to Rabbinic Writings ...
... Ber. is the Jer. Gemara, or Talmud, of the Tractate Berakhoth. The edition, from
which quotations are made, is that commonly used, Krotoschin, 1866, 1 vol. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/list of abbreviations used in.htm

Criticism of the Sacred Text.
... to their traditions, consists of two parts, the Mishna, or text, generally referred
to the last half of the second century, and the Gemara, or commentary on ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xvii criticism of the.htm

Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
... man far from transgressing. Gemara"Fol.3 a. To the end of the night
watch."How does Rabbi Eliezer mean this? If he means that ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/appendix 2 extracts from the.htm

The Church of Christ
... a weariness it is!" That same evil has continued with the poor Jews to the present
day; and should you read the nonsense of the Talmud and the Gemara, and see ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the church of christ.htm

Synagogues in the City; and Schools.
... led him away: and they made him a footstool because of the Babylonians, who used
to pull off his hair, and to say, Take it, and go." The Gemara thus; "Rabba ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 36 synagogues in the.htm

The Difference of Some Customs of the Galileans from those of ...
... Where the Gloss is this; "There were no priests among the Galileans: therefore,
when they cursed, they cursed to none but to God." And the Gemara of Jerusalem ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 86 the difference of.htm

Ecdippa. Achzib. Joshua 19:29; Judges 1:31 Climax of the Tyrians.
... tithes, and from the law concerning the seventh year, till you are certified it
is bound to those things, even until you come to Achzib." The Gemara hath these ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 65 ecdippa achzib joshua.htm

Thesaurus
Gemara
... the commentary on the Mishna (which forms the first part or text). Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GEMARA. ge-ma'-ra. See TALMUD. ...
/g/gemara.htm - 6k

Talmud
... (2) Gemara', "the matter that is leaned" (from gemar, "to accomplish," "to ... We do
not know whether the other treatises had at any time a Palestinian Gemara. ...
/t/talmud.htm - 37k

Pharisees (86 Occurrences)
... Although the Talmud was written, both Mishna and Gemara, by the descendants of the
Pharisees, the fact that the Gemara, from which most of our information is ...
/p/pharisees.htm - 66k

Gemariah (5 Occurrences)

/g/gemariah.htm - 9k

Sadducees (14 Occurrences)
... Before even the Mishna was committed to writing (circa 200 AD) the Sadducees had
ceased to exist; before the Gemara was completed (circa 700 AD) every valid ...
/s/sadducees.htm - 31k

Nehelamite (4 Occurrences)
... of Syrian Christians), language of Babylonian Talmud, Mandean; (b) West or Palestinian
Aramaic of the Targums, Palestinian Talmud (Gemara), Biblical Aramaic ...
/n/nehelamite.htm - 89k

Languages (36 Occurrences)
... of Syrian Christians), language of Babylonian Talmud, Mandean; (b) West or Palestinian
Aramaic of the Targums, Palestinian Talmud (Gemara), Biblical Aramaic ...
/l/languages.htm - 49k

Gemal'li (1 Occurrence)
Gemal'li. Gemalli, Gemal'li. Gemara . Multi-Version Concordance Gemal'li (1
Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Gemalli, Gemal'li. Gemara . Reference Bible.
/g/gemal'li.htm - 6k

Magi (4 Occurrences)
... That the Jews expected a star as a sign of the birth of the Messiah is clear from
the tractate Zohar of the Gemara and also from the title "Son of the Star ...
/m/magi.htm - 26k

Resources
What is the Mishnah? What is a midrash? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Talmud? | GotQuestions.org

Gemara: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Gemalli: Father of Ammiel
Top of Page
Top of Page