Understanding the Talmud: A Guide for Believers in Yeshua

In recent years we have witnessed the rise of a new breed of Jew-haters, especially among the so-called "influencers" of today. Candace Owens, once a conservative firebrand, has become one of the primary mouthpieces of all sorts of conspiracy theories and lies targeting Jews, Judaism and Israel. Things have gotten so bad with her that now a number of people are publicly calling on her to seek psychiatric help. The reason I bring Candace Owens up is due to her throwing around the term "Talmudic Jews" in her videos. Since most people don't know what the Talmud is, it's easy for people like her to instantly score a point by associating negative information people can relate to, with something they don't know much about.

So let's talk about the Talmud and let's see if goofy labels such as "Talmudic Jews" have any merit at all, or they are just the product of unhinged anti-semites like Owens.

In addition, we as followers of Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ), are free to seek deeper insights into the Jewish roots of our faith, which the Talmud may offer some insight into.

The Talmud, a cornerstone of rabbinic Judaism, can seem mysterious or even intimidating at first. Yet, exploring it thoughtfully can enrich our understanding of Scripture, history, and culture. In this post, I will draw from a series of teachings by the Netivyah Bible Instruction Ministry, based in Jerusalem, Israel, to provide a clear overview: what the Talmud is, its historical development, and—most importantly—how we as believers should approach and relate to it. Whether you're a Jewish believer reconnecting with your heritage or a Christian curious about the context of the New Testament, this guide aims to equip you with balanced, biblically grounded perspective.

Let's dive in.

So What Is the Talmud, Anyway?

At its core, the Talmud—meaning "learning" or "instruction" in Hebrew—serves as the central body of literature in rabbinic Judaism. It encompasses teachings, discussions, and opinions from numerous rabbis, addressing every facet of life, faith, and practice. When people refer to "the Talmud," they typically mean the Babylonian Talmud, the more comprehensive and widely used version. There's also a shorter Jerusalem Talmud, but we'll touch on the differences later.

The Talmud is divided into two main parts: the Mishnah and the Gemara.

• The Mishnah: This is the foundational layer of the Talmud and it means "repetition" in Hebrew, reflecting its origins in oral traditions passed down through memorization. It's the first major written compilation of Jewish oral laws, traditions claimed to have been given to Moses at Mount Sinai alongside the written Torah (the first five books of the Bible)—though this claim lacks historical support. Organized into six orders (sedarim), each divided into tractates, chapters, and paragraphs, the Mishnah covers a broad range of topics:

  1. Zeraim (Seeds): Focuses on prayers, blessings, dietary laws, agricultural practices like tithing, and gifts to the poor during harvest.

  2. Mo'ed (Appointed Times): Deals with Shabbat (Sabbath), biblical holidays, fasting, and related traditions.

  3. Nashim (Women): Explores engagement, marriage, family life, divorce, vows, and Nazarite laws.

  4. Nezikin (Damages): Covers civil matters such as property rights, damages, compensations, courts, criminal law, witnesses, oaths, finances, idolatry, and living in idolatrous cultures. It includes the tractate Pirkei Avot ("Chapters of the Fathers"), a collection of ethical teachings and sayings that's particularly insightful.

  5. Kodashim (Holies): Details temple-related practices, sacrifices, offerings, slaughter, laws of the firstborn, and certain sins—offering a window into Second Temple life and how biblical laws were applied.

  6. Tohorot (Purities): Discusses ritual purity and impurity for vessels, foods, people, diseases, the red heifer, and immersions.

• The Gemara: Meaning "study" in Aramaic or "completion" in Hebrew, this is not a standalone work but an expansive commentary on the Mishnah. It includes debates, explanations, and discussions from rabbis across generations. Together, the Mishnah and Gemara form the Talmud.

This vast compilation draws heavily from the Hebrew Bible while incorporating oral traditions and customs. It's been the heart of Jewish rabbinic literature for centuries, influencing daily life and thought. For believers, it offers glimpses into the world of ancient Judaism, but it must always be viewed through the lens of Scripture.

The History of the Talmud

To appreciate the Talmud, we need to trace its origins back through Jewish history. Its development reflects a people preserving their faith amid exile, destruction, and change.

The story begins in the late 6th century BCE, at the end of the Babylonian exile. As exiles returned under Ezra and Nehemiah, a revival took hold. The "Great Assembly" emerged—a group of scholars, priests, and leaders seen as a bridge between the prophets and later sages. This evolved into the Sanhedrin, a supreme council of 71 sages (originally around 120 in the Great Assembly), handling governance, legislation, and Torah interpretation.

By the centuries before the Common Era, leadership came in pairs called Zugot ("pairs"). Each pair consisted of a Nasi (prince or president, often a Davidic descendant, focused on compassion and peace) and an Av-Beit Din (head of the court, ensuring Torah alignment). These leaders preserved and developed traditions, with their teachings frequently referenced in the Talmud.

A pivotal shift occurred in 70 CE with the Roman destruction of the Second Temple and the expulsion of Jews from Jerusalem. This national tragedy ended temple worship, priesthood, and sacrifices. In response, Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai established a new center in Yavne, reviving Sanhedrin-like functions and founding rabbinic academies. These modest gatherings of scholars compiled and debated oral traditions to safeguard Israel's spiritual legacy. Pharisaic rabbis filled the leadership void left by dispersed priests.

Around 135–217 CE, Rabbi Yehudah Hanasi (a Davidic descendant) compiled these traditions into the Mishnah in Tzipori, Galilee. This marked the Talmud's first major milestone.

Post-Mishnah (circa 220 CE), rabbis in Israel and Babylon studied and expanded on it, creating the Gemara. This led to two Talmuds:

• Jerusalem Talmud: Compiled in the Galilee during the 3rd century (not in Jerusalem, despite the name). Written in a distinct Aramaic dialect, it's shorter but contains unique material. It predates the Babylonian version by about 200 years, making it especially useful for understanding the late Second Temple era and Yeshua's time.

• Babylonian Talmud: More extensive and detailed, compiled later in Babylonian academies. It's the primary version studied today.

These works arose from generations of scholarship, adapting Judaism to a temple-less world.

How Should Believers Relate to the Talmud?

Now, the key question: As believers in Yeshua, how do we engage with the Talmud? It's actually not so complicated. The Talmud is neither something to idolize nor reject outright. As Christians, we should approach it with discernment, always prioritizing the Bible—from Genesis to Revelation—as our sole authoritative foundation. Test everything against God's Word, and never elevate extra-biblical writings to the same level. The same is true for many writings by Christian authors throughout history. Just because someone is writing a commentary, or a teaching, in the name of Christ, doesn't mean it's accurate, or Biblical.

The Value for Believers

1. Cultural and Heritage Connection: For Jewish believers, the Talmud is part of their legacy, shaping Jewish thought, culture, and life for centuries. Understanding it fosters connection rather than estrangement, strengthening their witness in Israel and beyond. Even for non-Jews, it reveals the richness of Jewish heritage, helping us appreciate where we come from as grafted-in branches (Romans 11).

2. Practical Application: The Talmud offers insights into applying biblical commands where Scripture is clear on the "what" but vague on the "how." For instance, it details celebrating Pesach (Passover), building a sukkah for Sukkot, or handling the four species. These aren't binding or the only way, but they provide time-tested traditions—why reinvent the wheel?

3. Historical Context for the New Testament: Especially the Jerusalem Talmud, it illuminates the world of Yeshua. Take Matthew 19, where Pharisees test Jesus on divorce. Talmudic context reveals they were probing if He aligned with the strict House of Shammai or the more lenient House of Hillel—famous Zugot figures with ongoing disputes. Jesus' response echoes Shammai's view, rooted in God's Word. Many New Testament scenes gain depth through such backgrounds.

Approaching with Caution

Heritage isn't uniformly good or bad; the Talmud contains wisdom alongside problematic elements. Some teachings reflect profound ethical insight (like Pirkei Avot), but others may contradict Scripture or promote traditions over truth. Paul's principle applies: What edifies one might stumble another (1 Corinthians 8). We're all at different points in our faith journey, with unique backgrounds. Examine your heart—if something draws you from Yeshua, avoid it.

Ultimately, the Talmud isn't essential for salvation or spiritual growth; the Bible is sufficient. We're not promoting exhaustive study but encouraging informed, balanced exploration for those interested. Resources like teachings from Netivya can help dive deeper without losing biblical footing.

Final Thoughts

The Talmud is a monumental testament to Jewish resilience and scholarship, offering windows into ancient practices, debates, and contexts that echo in our Scriptures.

There is no such thing as "Talmudic Jews", a label that's supposed to bring a negative perception to people unfamiliar with the Talmud. If anything, Jews who follow the Talmud, are closer to Biblical truth than atheists, agnostics, or simply people ignorant of the Bible, who represent a sizable part of the population of Western countries today.

As believers, we can learn from it without being bound by it, always filtering through the lens of Yeshua and the full counsel of God.

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Understanding the Talmud: A Guide for Believers in Yeshua© 2025 byGeorge Bakalovis licensed underCC BY-NC-ND 4.0