The Mishna, also spelled Mishnah, is a foundational text of Rabbinic Judaism, compiled around 200 CE by Rabbi Judah the Prince. It is the first major written redaction of the Jewish oral traditions known as the Oral Torah. The Mishna serves as a critical component of the Talmud, which also includes the Gemara, a commentary on the Mishna. While the Mishna itself is not part of the Christian Bible, understanding its role and content can provide valuable context for the New Testament and the religious environment of Second Temple Judaism.

Historical Context

The Mishna was compiled during a period of significant upheaval for the Jewish people, following the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. This event marked a pivotal shift from Temple-centered worship to Rabbinic Judaism, which emphasized study and observance of the Torah. The Mishna reflects this transition, codifying oral laws and traditions that had been passed down through generations.

Structure and Content

The Mishna is divided into six orders (Sedarim), each containing multiple tractates (Masechtot), which are further divided into chapters and individual teachings (Mishnayot). The six orders are:

1. Zeraim ("Seeds") · Deals with agricultural laws and prayers.
2. Moed ("Festivals") · Covers the observance of the Sabbath and Jewish festivals.
3. Nashim ("Women") · Concerns marriage, divorce, and family law.
4. Nezikin ("Damages") · Addresses civil and criminal law.
5. Kodashim ("Holy Things") · Pertains to Temple service and sacrifices.
6. Tohorot ("Purities") · Discusses ritual purity and impurity.

Relevance to the New Testament

The Mishna provides insight into the religious practices and beliefs that were prevalent during the time of Jesus and the early Church. Many of the debates and teachings found in the Gospels and the Epistles can be better understood against the backdrop of the Mishnaic traditions. For example, the Pharisees, a prominent Jewish sect during Jesus' time, were known for their adherence to oral traditions, which are encapsulated in the Mishna.

In the New Testament, Jesus often engages with the Pharisees and scribes on matters of the law and tradition. For instance, in Matthew 15:2-3 , the Pharisees question Jesus, saying, "Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands when they eat." Jesus responds by challenging their adherence to human traditions over God's commandments. This interaction highlights the tension between written and oral law, a central theme in the Mishna.

Theological Implications

From a conservative Christian perspective, the Mishna is viewed as a human attempt to interpret and apply the Mosaic Law. While it is respected for its historical and cultural significance, it is not considered divinely inspired Scripture. Christians believe that Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, as stated in Matthew 5:17 : "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them."

The Mishna's emphasis on legalistic observance is often contrasted with the New Testament's focus on grace and faith. The Apostle Paul addresses this in Galatians 3:24-25 : "So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian."

Conclusion

The Mishna remains a vital text for understanding Jewish law and tradition. While it is not part of the Christian canon, its influence on the religious landscape of the New Testament era is undeniable. By studying the Mishna, Christians can gain a deeper appreciation for the historical and cultural context of the Bible.(n.) A collection or digest of Jewish traditions and explanations of Scripture, forming the text of the Talmud.MISHNA

mish'-na.

See TALMUD.

Criticism of the Sacred Text.
... The Talmud, embodying the ecclesiastical and civil law of the Jews according to
their traditions, consists of two parts, the Mishna, or text, generally ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xvii criticism of the.htm

The Talmud.
... the Old Testament is a sealed book. The first part, called the Mishna (ie
Repetition, viz. of the law), which comprehends the oral ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/the talmud.htm

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

Ecclesiastes
... which occur elsewhere only in Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther: there are some
pure Aramaic words, some words even which belong to the Hebrew of the Mishna. ...
/.../mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/ecclesiastes.htm

The Church of Christ
... The day is coming when the careless shepherds shall be as naught; when the power
of the Rabbis shall cease, when the traditions of the Mishna and the Talmud ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the church of christ.htm

Book 17 Footnotes
... specified, that befell Matthias, the real high priest, in his sleep, the night before
the great day of expiation, is attested to both in the Mishna and Talmud ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 17 footnotes.htm

Gentiles Seeking Christ.
... If a heathen were invited to a Jewish house, we learn from the Mishna, that he could
not be left alone in the room, else every article of food or drink on the ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/gentiles seeking christ.htm

The Synagogue.
... Blessed art thou, O Lord, who blessest thy people Israel with peace." These
benedictions are traced in the Mishna to the one hundred and twenty elders of the ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 51 the synagogue.htm

Footnotes
... See his Travels, p.112.]. [Footnote 16: This Gamaliel may be the very same that
is mentioned by the rabbins in the Mishna, in Juchasin, and in Porta Mosis, as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the life of flavius josephus/footnotes.htm

Landmarks in the History of Early Christianity
... 79, 99 days of the, 26 Messianic Age, 19 Metaphysics, 95 Greek, 12 Platonic, 9 Stoic,
89 Michael, 115, 137-139 Middle Ages, 10, 119 Mind, 88 Mishna, the, 47 ...
/.../lake/landmarks in the history of early christianity/index 2.htm

Mishna
... traditions and explanations of Scripture, forming the text of the Talmud. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MISHNA. mish'-na. See TALMUD. ...
/m/mishna.htm - 6k

Talmud
... IMPORTANCE OF THE TALMUD III. THE TRADITIONAL LAW UNTIL THE COMPOSITION OF THE MISHNA
IV. ... III. The Traditional Law until the Composition of the Mishna. ...
/t/talmud.htm - 37k

Inn (7 Occurrences)
... In Mishna, Yebhamoth, xvi. 7 the word of an innkeeper was doubted, and Mishna,
`Abbodhah Zarah, ii.4 places them in the lowest scale of degradation. ...
/i/inn.htm - 17k

Basket (40 Occurrences)
... The Mishna renders us some help in our uncertainty, giving numerous names and
descriptions of "baskets" in use among the ancient Hebrews (see Kreugel, Dasse ...
/b/basket.htm - 27k

Fasts (3 Occurrences)
... of Atonement was the only pre-exilic fast.) Of these post-exilic fasts and feasts,
the Feast of Dedication (1 Maccabees 4:52-59; John 10:22; Mishna, Ta`anith 2 ...
/f/fasts.htm - 21k

Feasts (45 Occurrences)
... of Atonement was the only pre-exilic fast.) Of these post-exilic fasts and feasts,
the Feast of Dedication (1 Maccabees 4:52-59; John 10:22; Mishna, Ta`anith 2 ...
/f/feasts.htm - 36k

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

Draught (8 Occurrences)
... 15:17 Mark 7:19): "Closet," "sink" or "privy" (Rheims), literally, "place for sitting
apart" (compare 2 Kings 10:27, "draught-house," and Mishna "water-house ...
/d/draught.htm - 11k

Trumpets (52 Occurrences)
... So the Mishna (Ro'sh ha-shanah, i.1): "There are four periods of commencement of
years: On the 1st of Nisan is a new year for kings and for festivals; the 1st ...
/t/trumpets.htm - 32k

Feast (209 Occurrences)
... So the Mishna (Ro'sh ha-shanah, i.1): "There are four periods of commencement of
years: On the 1st of Nisan is a new year for kings and for festivals; the 1st ...
/f/feast.htm - 47k

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

What is the Talmud? | GotQuestions.org

What is Orthodox Judaism? | GotQuestions.org

Mishna: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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