Tradition

Question 1

90-100 BE The bible is canonised.

Answer 1

The bible is canonised. The sages make the final decision as to which books are included in or excluded from the Bible.

Question 2

ca 200 BE Mishna

Answer 2

The Mishna is codified. The formal compilation of Oral Law (the teachings and legal decisions of the rabbis in the period 200 BCE to 200 CE) is completed by the editor, Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi

Question 3

ca 500 Jerusalem Talmud is completed

Answer 3

The Jerusalem Talmud is completed. The sages remaining in the land of Israel extend the Oral Law of the Mishna, adding their own teachings, call the Gemara. The Jerusalem Talmud is a combination of the Mishna and the Gemara, which focuses on issues of law for those still living within the land of Israel.

Question 4

ca 600 - the Babylonian Talmud is completed

Answer 4

The Babylonian Talmud is completed. The sages living in exile (centered in Babylonia) extend the Oral Law of the Mishna, adding their own teachings, call the Gemara. The Jerusalem Talmud is a combination of the Mishna and the Gemara, which focuses on issues of law for those living in the diaspora.

Question 5

870-940 First prayer books

Answer 5

In Babylonia, Amram ben Sheshna outlines the first prayer book. in 940 Saadya Gaon compiles a more complete, more logical and better organised prayer book that serves as the basic prayerbook model from them until modern times.

Question 6

1567 Publication of the Shulchan Aruch

Answer 6

The Shulchan Aruch (“Set Table”), sometimes dubbed in English as the Code of Jewish Law, is the most widely consulted of the various legal codes in Judaism. It was authored in Safed by Joseph Karo in 1563 and published in Venice two years later. Together with its commentaries, it is the most widely accepted compilation of Jewish law ever written.