(א) אָז לֹא אֵבוֹשׁ, בְּהַבִּיטִי אֶל כָּל מִצְוֹתֶיךָ:
כָּל הַמִּצְווֹת שֶׁנִּתְּנוּ לוֹ לְמֹשֶׁה בְּסִינַי – בְּפֵרוּשָׁן נִתְּנוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמָר "וְאֶתְּנָה לְךָ אֶת־לֻחֹת הָאֶבֶן, וְהַתּוֹרָה וְהַמִּצְוָה" (שמות כד, יב): "תּוֹרָה", זוֹ תּוֹרָה שֶׁבִּכְתָב; וּ"מִצְוָה", זֶה פֵּרוּשָׁהּ. וְצִוָּנוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת הַתּוֹרָה, עַל פִּי הַמִּצְוָה. וּמִצְוָה זוֹ, הִיא הַנִּקְרֵאת תּוֹרָה שֶׁבְּעַל פֶּה.
(ב) כָּל הַתּוֹרָה – כְּתָבָהּ מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ קֹדֶם שֶׁיָּמוּת, בִּכְתָב יָדוֹ. וְנָתַן סֵפֶר לְכָל שֵׁבֶט וְשֵׁבֶט; וְסֵפֶר אֶחָד – נְתָנָהוּ בָּאָרוֹן לְעֵד, שֶׁנֶּאֱמָר "לָקֹחַ, אֵת סֵפֶר הַתּוֹרָה הַזֶּה, וְשַׂמְתֶּם אֹתוֹ, מִצַּד אֲרוֹן בְּרִית־ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶם; וְהָיָה־שָׁם בְּךָ, לְעֵד" (דברים לא, כו).
(ג) וְהַמִּצְוָה, שְׁהִיא פֵּרוּשׁ הַתּוֹרָה – לֹא כְתָבָהּ; אֵלָא צִוָּה בָּהּ לַזְּקֵנִים וְלִיהוֹשׁוּעַ וְלִשְׁאָר כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמָר "אֵת כָּל־הַדָּבָר, אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוֶּה אֶתְכֶם – אֹתוֹ תִשְׁמְרוּ, לַעֲשׂוֹת . . ." (דברים יג, א). וּמִפְּנֵי זֶה נִקְרֵאת תּוֹרָה שֶׁבְּעַל פֶּה.
(ד) אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹּא נִכְתְּבָה תּוֹרָה שֶׁבְּעַל פֶּה, לִמְּדָהּ מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ כֻּלָּהּ בְּבֵית דִּינוֹ לְשִׁבְעִים זְקֵנִים; וְאֶלְעָזָר וּפִינְחָס וִיהוֹשׁוּעַ, שְׁלָשְׁתָּן קִבְּלוּ מִמֹּשֶׁה. וְלִיהוֹשׁוּעַ שְׁהוּא תַּלְמִידוֹ שֶׁלְּמֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ, מָסַר תּוֹרָה שֶׁבְּעַל פֶּה וְצִוָּהוּ עָלֶיהָ; וְכֵן יְהוֹשׁוּעַ, כָּל יְמֵי חַיָּיו לִמַּד עַל פֶּה.
(ה) וּזְקֵנִים רַבִּים קִבְּלוּ מִיְּהוֹשׁוּעַ, וְקִבַּל עֵלִי מִן הַזְּקֵנִים וּמִפִּינְחָס; וּשְׁמוּאֵל קִבַּל מֵעֵלִי וּבֵית דִּינוֹ, וְדָוִיד קִבַּל מִשְּׁמוּאֵל וּבֵית דִּינוֹ. וַאֲחִיָּה הַשִּׁילוֹנִי, מִיּוֹצְאֵי מִצְרַיִם הָיָה וְלֵוִי הָיָה, וְשָׁמַע מִמֹּשֶׁה, וְהָיָה קָטָן בִּימֵי מֹשֶׁה; וְהוּא קִבַּל מִדָּוִיד וּבֵית דִּינוֹ.
(ו) אֵלִיָּהוּ קִבַּל מֵאֲחִיָּה הַשִּׁילוֹנִי וּבֵית דִּינוֹ, וֶאֱלִישָׁע קִבַּל מֵאֵלִיָּהוּ וּבֵית דִּינוֹ, וִיהוֹיָדָע הַכּוֹהֵן קִבַּל מֵאֱלִישָׁע וּבֵית דִּינוֹ, וּזְכַרְיָהוּ קִבַּל מִיְּהוֹיָדָע וּבֵית דִּינוֹ, וְהוֹשֵׁעַ קִבַּל מִזְּכַרְיָה וּבֵית דִּינוֹ, וְעָמוֹס קִבַּל מֵהוֹשֵׁעַ וּבֵית דִּינוֹ, וִישַׁעְיָהוּ קִבַּל מֵעָמוֹס וּבֵית דִּינוֹ, וּמִיכָה קִבַּל מִיְּשַׁעְיָה וּבֵית דִּינוֹ, וְיוֹאֵל קִבַּל מִמִּיכָה וּבֵית דִּינוֹ, וְנַחוּם קִבַּל מִיּוֹאֵל וּבֵית דִּינוֹ, וַחֲבַקּוּק קִבַּל מִנַּחוּם וּבֵית דִּינוֹ, וּצְפַנְיָה קִבַּל מֵחֲבַקּוּק וּבֵית דִּינוֹ, וְיִרְמְיָה קִבַּל מִצְּפַנְיָה וּבֵית דִּינוֹ, וּבָרוּךְ בֶּן נֵרִיָּה קִבַּל מִיִּרְמְיָה וּבֵית דִּינוֹ, וְעֶזְרָא וּבֵית דִּינוֹ קִבְּלוּ מִבָּרוּךְ וּבֵית דִּינוֹ.
(ז) בֵּית דִּינוֹ שֶׁלְּעֶזְרָא, הֶם הַנִּקְרָאִין אַנְשֵׁי כְּנֶסֶת הַגְּדוֹלָה. וְהֶם חַגַּי זְכַרְיָה וּמַלְאָכִי, וְדָנִיֵּאל חֲנַנְיָה מִישָׁאֵל וַעֲזַרְיָה, וּנְחֶמְיָה בֶּן חֲכַלְיָה, וּמָרְדֳּכַי, וּזְרֻבָּבֶל; וְהַרְבֵּה חֲכָמִים עִמָּהֶם, תַּשְׁלוּם מֵאָה וְעֶשְׂרִים זְקֵנִים. הָאַחֲרוֹן מֵהֶם הוּא שִׁמְעוֹן הַצַּדִּיק, וְהוּא הָיָה מִכְּלַל הַמֵּאָה וְעֶשְׂרִים, וְקִבַּל תּוֹרָה שֶׁבְּעַל פֶּה מִכֻּלָּן; וְהוּא הָיָה כּוֹהֵן גָּדוֹל, אַחַר עֶזְרָא.
(ח) אַנְטִיגְנוֹס אִישׁ שׂוֹכוֹ וּבֵית דִּינוֹ קִבְּלוּ מִשִּׁמְעוֹן הַצַּדִּיק וּבֵית דִּינוֹ, וְיוֹסֵף בֶּן יוֹעֶזֶר אִישׁ צְרֵדָה וְיוֹסֵף בֶּן יוֹחָנָן אִישׁ יְרוּשָׁלַיִם וּבֵית דִּינָם קִבְּלוּ מֵאַנְטִיגְנוֹס וּבֵית דִּינוֹ, וִיהוֹשׁוּעַ בֶּן פְּרַחְיָה וְנִתַּאי הָאַרְבֵּלִי וּבֵית דִּינָם קִבְּלוּ מִיּוֹסֵף וְיוֹסֵף וּבֵית דִּינָם, וִיהוּדָה בֶּן טָבַאי וְשִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן שָׁטָח וּבֵית דִּינָם קִבְּלוּ מִיְּהוֹשׁוּעַ וְנִתַּאי וּבֵית דִּינָם. שְׁמַעְיָה וְאַבְטַלְיוֹן גֵּרֵי הַצֶּדֶק וּבֵית דִּינָם קִבְּלוּ מִיְּהוּדָה וְשִׁמְעוֹן וּבֵית דִּינָם. וְהִלֵּל וְשַׁמַּאי וּבֵית דִּינָם קִבְּלוּ מִשְּׁמַעְיָה וְאַבְטַלְיוֹן וּבֵית דִּינָם. וְרַבַּן יוֹחָנָן בֶּן זַכַּאי וְרַבַּן שִׁמְעוֹן בְּנוֹ שֶׁלְּהִלֵּל קִבְּלוּ מֵהִלֵּל וּבֵית דִּינוֹ.
(ט) חֲמִשָּׁה תַּלְמִידִים הָיוּ לוֹ לְרַבַּן יוֹחָנָן בֶּן זַכַּאי, וְהֶם גְּדוֹלֵי הַחֲכָמִים שֶׁקִּבְּלוּ מִמֶּנּוּ; וְאֵלּוּ הֶם – רִבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר הַגָּדוֹל, וְרִבִּי יְהוֹשׁוּעַ, וְרִבִּי יוֹסֵי הַכּוֹהֵן, וְרִבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן נְתַנְאֵל, וְרִבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן עֲרָךְ. וְרִבִּי עֲקִיבָה בֶּן יוֹסֵף קִבַּל מֵרִבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר הַגָּדוֹל, וְיוֹסֵף אָבִיו גֵּר צֶדֶק הָיָה. וְרִבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל וְרִבִּי מֵאִיר בֶּן גֵּר הַצֶּדֶק קִבְּלוּ מֵרִבִּי עֲקִיבָה, וְגַם קִבַּל רִבִּי מֵאִיר וַחֲבֵרָיו מֵרִבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל.
(י) חֲבֵרָיו שֶׁלְּרִבִּי מֵאִיר – הֶם רִבִּי יְהוּדָה, וְרִבִּי יוֹסֵי, וְרִבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, וְרִבִּי נְחֶמְיָה, וְרִבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן שַׁמּוּעַ, וְרִבִּי יוֹחָנָן הַסַּנְדְּלָר, וְשִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן עַזַּאי, וְרִבִּי חֲנַנְיָה בֶּן תְּרַדְיוֹן. וְכֵן קִבְּלוּ חֲבֵרָיו שֶׁלְּרִבִּי עֲקִיבָה מֵרִבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר הַגָּדוֹל; וַחֲבֵרָיו שֶׁלְּרִבִּי עֲקִיבָה – הֶם רִבִּי טַרְפוֹן רִבּוֹ שֶׁלְּרִבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגָּלִילִי, וְרִבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר, וְרִבִּי יוֹחָנָן בֶּן נוּרִי.
(יא) רַבַּן גַּמְלִיאֵל הַזָּקֵן קִבַּל מֵרַבַּן שִׁמְעוֹן אָבִיו, בְּנוֹ שֶׁלְּהִלֵּל; וְרַבַּן שִׁמְעוֹן בְּנוֹ קִבַּל מִמֶּנּוּ, וְרַבַּן גַּמְלִיאֵל בְּנוֹ קִבַּל מִמֶּנּוּ, וְרַבַּן שִׁמְעוֹן בְּנוֹ קִבַּל מִמֶּנּוּ. וְרִבִּי יְהוּדָה בְּנוֹ שֶׁלְּרַבַּן שִׁמְעוֹן, זֶה הוּא הַנִּקְרָא רַבֵּנוּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ, וְהוּא קִבַּל מֵאָבִיו, וּמֵרִבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן שַׁמּוּעַ וּמֵרִבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן חֲבֵרוֹ.
(יב) רַבֵּנוּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ חִבַּר הַמִּשְׁנָה. וּמִיְּמוֹת מֹשֶׁה וְעַד רַבֵּנוּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ, לֹא חִבְּרוּ חִבּוּר שֶׁמְּלַמְּדִין אוֹתוֹ בָּרַבִּים בְּתוֹרָה שֶׁבְּעַל פֶּה; אֵלָא בְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר, רֹאשׁ בֵּית דִּין אוֹ נָבִיא שֶׁיִּהְיֶה בְּאוֹתוֹ הַדּוֹר, כּוֹתֵב לְעַצְמוֹ זִכָּרוֹן בַּשְּׁמוּעוֹת שֶׁשָּׁמַע מֵרִבּוֹתָיו, וְהוּא מְלַמֵּד עַל פֶּה בָּרַבִּים.
(יג) וְכֵן כָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד כּוֹתֵב לְעַצְמוֹ כְּפִי כּוֹחוֹ, מִבֵּאוּר הַתּוֹרָה וּמֵהִלְכּוֹתֶיהָ כְּמוֹ שֶׁשָּׁמַע, וּמִדְּבָרִים שֶׁנִּתְחַדְּשׁוּ בְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר, בְּדִינִים שֶׁלֹּא לְמָדוּם מִפִּי הַשְּׁמוּעָה אֵלָא בְּמִדָּה מִשְּׁלוֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה מִדּוֹת וְהִסְכִּימוּ עֲלֵיהֶן בֵּית דִּין הַגָּדוֹל. וְכֵן הָיָה הַדָּבָר תָּמִיד, עַד רַבֵּנוּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ.
(יד) וְהוּא קִבַּץ כָּל הַשְּׁמוּעוֹת וְכָל הַדִּינִין וְכָל הַבֵּאוּרִין וְהַפֵּרוּשִׁין שֶׁשָּׁמְעוּ מִמֹּשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ, וְשֶׁלִּמְּדוּ בֵּית דִּין שֶׁלְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר, בְּכָל הַתּוֹרָה כֻּלָּהּ; וְחִבַּר מֵהַכֹּל סֵפֶר הַמִּשְׁנָה. וְשִׁנְּנוֹ בָּרַבִּים, וְנִגְלָה לְכָל יִשְׂרָאֵל; וּכְתָבוּהוּ כֻּלָּם, וְרִבְּצוּ בְּכָל מָקוֹם, כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא תִשְׁתַּכַּח תּוֹרָה שֶׁבְּעַל פֶּה מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל.
(טו) וְלָמָּה עָשָׂה רַבֵּנוּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ כָּךְ, וְלֹא הִנִּיחַ הַדָּבָר כְּמוֹת שֶׁהָיָה – לְפִי שֶׁרָאָה שֶׁהַתַּלְמִידִים מִתְמַעֲטִים וְהוֹלְכִים, וְהַצָּרוֹת מִתְחַדְּשׁוֹת וּבָאוֹת, וּמַמְלֶכֶת הָרִשְׁעָה פּוֹשֶׁטֶת בָּעוֹלָם וּמִתְגַּבֶּרֶת, וְיִשְׂרָאֵל מִתְגַּלְגְּלִים וְהוֹלְכִים לַקְּצָווֹת: חִבַּר חִבּוּר אֶחָד לִהְיוֹת בְּיַד כֻּלָּם, כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּלְמְדוּהוּ בִּמְהֵרָה וְלֹא יִשָּׁכַח; וְיָשַׁב כָּל יָמָיו הוּא וּבֵית דִּינוֹ, וְלִמַּד הַמִּשְׁנָה בָּרַבִּים.
(טז) וְאֵלּוּ הֶם גְּדוֹלֵי הַחֲכָמִים שֶׁהָיוּ בְּבֵית דִּינוֹ שֶׁלְּרַבֵּנוּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ וְקִבְּלוּ מִמֶּנּוּ – שִׁמְעוֹן וְגַמְלִיאֵל בָּנָיו, וְרִבִּי אָפֵס, וְרִבִּי חֲנַנְיָה בֶּן חָמָא, וְרִבִּי חִיָּא, וְרָב, וְרִבִּי יַנַּאי, וּבַר קַפָּרָא, וּשְׁמוּאֵל, וְרִבִּי יוֹחָנָן, וְרִבִּי הוֹשַׁעְיָה. אֵלּוּ הֶם הַגְּדוֹלִים שֶׁקִּבְּלוּ מִמֶּנּוּ, וְעִמָּהֶם אֲלָפִים וּרְבָבוֹת מִשְּׁאָר הַחֲכָמִים.
(יז) אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵלּוּ הָאַחַד עָשָׂר קִבְּלוּ מֵרַבֵּנוּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ וְעָמְדוּ בְּמִדְרָשׁוֹ, רִבִּי יוֹחָנָן קָטָן הָיָה וְאַחַר כָּךְ הָיָה תַּלְמִיד לְרִבִּי יַנַּאי וְקִבַּל מִמֶּנּוּ תּוֹרָה. וְכֵן רָב קִבַּל מֵרִבִּי יַנַּאי; וּשְׁמוּאֵל קִבַּל מֵרִבִּי חֲנַנְיָה בֶּן חָמָא.
(יח) רָב חִבַּר סִפְרָא וְסִפְרֵי לְבָאַר וּלְהוֹדִיעַ עִיקְרֵי הַמִּשְׁנָה, וְרִבִּי חִיָּא חִבַּר הַתּוֹסֶפְתָּא לְבָאַר עִנְיְנֵי הַמִּשְׁנָה. וְכֵן רִבִּי הוֹשַׁעְיָה וּבַר קַפָּרָא חִבְּרוּ בַּרַּיְתּוֹת לְבָאַר דִּבְרֵי הַמִּשְׁנָה, וְרִבִּי יוֹחָנָן חִבַּר הַתַּלְמוּד הַיְּרוּשְׁלְמִי בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל אַחַר חָרְבַּן הַבַּיִת בְּקֵרוּב מִשְּׁלוֹשׁ מֵאוֹת שָׁנָה.
(יט) וּמִגְּדוֹלֵי הַחֲכָמִים שֶׁקִּבְּלוּ מֵרָב וּשְׁמוּאֵל – רָב הוּנָא, וְרָב יְהוּדָה, וְרָב נַחְמָן, וְרָב כַּהֲנָא; וּמִגְּדוֹלֵי הַחֲכָמִים שֶׁקִּבְּלוּ מֵרִבִּי יוֹחָנָן – רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה, וְרִבִּי אַמֵי, וְרִבִּי אַסֵי, וְרָב דִּימֵי, וְרַאבּוּן.
(כ) וּמִכְּלַל הַחֲכָמִים שֶׁקִּבְּלוּ מֵרָב הוּנָא וּמֵרָב יְהוּדָה, רַבָּה וְרָב יוֹסֵף. וּמִכְּלַל הַחֲכָמִים שֶׁקִּבְּלוּ מֵרַבָּה וְרָב יוֹסֵף, אַבַּיֵי וְרַבָּא; וּשְׁנֵיהֶם קִבְּלוּ גַּם מֵרָב נַחְמָן. וּמִכְּלַל הַחֲכָמִים שֶׁקִּבְּלוּ מֵרַבָּא, רָב אַשֵׁי וְרַבִּינָא; וּמָר בַּר רָב אַשֵׁי קִבַּל מֵאָבִיו וּמֵרַבִּינָא.
(כא) נִמְצָא מֵרָב אַשֵׁי עַד מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ – אַרְבָּעִים אִישׁ, וְאֵלּוּ הֶן: (א) רָב אַשֵׁי, (ב) מֵרַבָּא, (ג) מֵרַבָּה, (ד) מֵרָב הוּנָא, (ה) מֵרִבִּי יוֹחָנָן וְרָב וּשְׁמוּאֵל, (ו) מֵרַבֵּנוּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ, (ז) מֵרַבַּן שִׁמְעוֹן אָבִיו, (ח) מֵרַבַּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אָבִיו, (ט) מֵרַבַּן שִׁמְעוֹן אָבִיו, (י) מֵרַבַּן גַּמְלִיאֵל הַזָּקֵן אָבִיו, (יא) מֵרַבַּן שִׁמְעוֹן אָבִיו, (יב) מֵהִלֵּל אָבִיו וְשַׁמַּאי, (יג) מִשְּׁמַעְיָה וְאַבְטַלְיוֹן, (יד) מִיְּהוּדָה וְשִׁמְעוֹן, (טו) מִיְּהוֹשׁוּעַ וְנִתַּאי, (טז) מִיּוֹסֵף וְיוֹסֵף, (יז) מֵאַנְטִיגְנוֹס, (יח) מִשִּׁמְעוֹן הַצַּדִּיק, (יט) מֵעֶזְרָא, (כ) מִבָּרוּךְ, (כא) מִיִּרְמְיָה, (כב) מִצְּפַנְיָה, (כג) מֵחֲבַקּוּק, (כד) מִנַּחוּם, (כה) מִיּוֹאֵל, (כו) מִמִּיכָה, (כז) מִיְּשַׁעְיָה, (כח) מֵעָמוֹס, (כט) מֵהוֹשֵׁעַ, (ל) מִזְּכַרְיָה, (לא) מִיְּהוֹיָדָע, (לב) מֵאֱלִישָׁע, (לג) מֵאֵלִיָּהוּ, (לד) מֵאֲחִיָּה, (לה) מִדָּוִיד, (לו) מִשְּׁמוּאֵל, (לז) מֵעֵלִי, (לח) מִפִּינְחָס, (לט) מִיְּהוֹשׁוּעַ, (מ) מִמֹּשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ רִבָּן שֶׁלְּכָל הַנְּבִיאִים, מֵעִם ה' אֱלֹקֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל.
(כב) כָּל אֵלּוּ הַחֲכָמִים הַנִּזְכָּרִים, הֶם גְּדוֹלֵי הַדּוֹרוֹת – מֵהֶם רָאשֵׁי יְשִׁיבוֹת, וּמֵהֶם רָאשֵׁי גָּלִיּוֹת, וּמֵהֶם מִסַּנְהֶדְּרֵי גְּדוֹלָה. וְעִמָּהֶם בְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר, אֲלָפִים וּרְבָבוֹת שֶׁשָּׁמְעוּ מֵהֶם וְעִמָּהֶם.
(כג) רַבִּינָא וְרָב אַשֵׁי, הֶם סוֹף חַכְמֵי הַתַּלְמוּד; וְרָב אַשֵׁי הוּא שֶׁחִבַּר הַתַּלְמוּד הַבַּבְלִי בְּאֶרֶץ שִׁנְעָר, אַחַר שֶׁחִבַּר רִבִּי יוֹחָנָן הַתַּלְמוּד הַיְּרוּשְׁלְמִי בִּכְמוֹ מֵאָה שָׁנָה.
(כד) וְעִנְיַן שְׁנֵי הַתַּלְמוּדִין – הוּא פֵּרוּשׁ דִּבְרֵי הַמִּשְׁנָה וּבֵאוּר עֲמוּקוֹתֶיהָ, וּדְבָרִים שֶׁנִּתְחַדְּשׁוּ בְּכָל בֵּית דִּין וּבֵית דִּין מִיְּמוֹת רַבֵּנוּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ וְעַד חִבּוּר הַתַּלְמוּד. וּמִשְּׁנֵי הַתַּלְמוּדִין, וּמִן הַתּוֹסֶפְתָּא, וּמִסִּפְרָא וּמִסִּפְרֵי, וּמִן הַתּוֹסֶפְתּוֹת – מִכֻּלָּם יִתְבָּאַר הָאָסוּר וְהַמֻּתָּר, וְהַטָּמֵא וְהַטָּהוֹר, וְהַחַיָּב וְהַפָּטוּר, וְהַכָּשֵׁר וְהַפָּסוּל, כְּמוֹ שֶׁהִעְתִּיקוּ אִישׁ מִפִּי אִישׁ מִפִּי מֹשֶׁה מִסִּינַי.
(כה) גַּם יִתְבָּאַר מֵהֶם דְּבָרִים שֶׁגָּזְרוּ חֲכָמִים וּנְבִיאִים שֶׁבְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר, לַעֲשׂוֹת סְיָג לַתּוֹרָה, כְּמוֹ שֶׁשָּׁמְעוּ מִמֹּשֶׁה בְּפֵרוּשׁ "וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם אֶת־מִשְׁמַרְתִּי" (ויקרא יח, ל), שֶׁאָמַר עֲשׂוּ מִשְׁמֶרֶת לְמִשְׁמַרְתִּי.
(כו) וְכֵן יִתְבָּאַר מֵהֶם הַמִּנְהָגוֹת וְהַתַּקָּנוֹת שֶׁהִתְקִינוּ אוֹ שֶׁנָּהֲגוּ בְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר, כְּמוֹ שֶׁרָאוּ בֵּית דִּין שֶׁלְּאוֹתוֹ הַדּוֹר, לְפִי שֶׁאָסוּר לָסוּר מֵהֶם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמָר "לֹא תָסוּר, מִכָּל הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר־יַגִּידוּ לְךָ – יָמִין וּשְׂמֹאל" (ראה דברים יז, יא).
(כז) וְכֵן מִשְׁפָּטִים וְדִינִין פִּלְאִיִּים שֶׁלֹּא קִבְּלוּ אוֹתָן מִמֹּשֶׁה, וְדָנוּ בָּהֶן בֵּית דִּין הַגָּדוֹל שֶׁלְּאוֹתוֹ הַדּוֹר בַּמִּדּוֹת שֶׁהַתּוֹרָה נִדְרֶשֶׁת בָּהֶן, וּפָסְקוּ אוֹתָן הַזְּקֵנִים, וְגָמְרוּ שֶׁהַדִּין כָּךְ הוּא. הַכֹּל חִבַּר רָב אַשֵׁי בַּתַּלְמוּד, מִיְּמוֹת מֹשֶׁה וְעַד יָמָיו.
(כח) וְחִבְּרוּ חַכְמֵי מִשְׁנָה חִבּוּרִין אֲחֵרִים, לְפָרַשׁ דִּבְרֵי הַתּוֹרָה: רִבִּי הוֹשַׁעְיָה תַּלְמִידוֹ שֶׁלְּרַבֵּנוּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ, חִבַּר בֵּאוּר סֵפֶר בְּרֵאשִׁית. וְרִבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל פֵּרַשׁ מֵאֵלֶּה שְׁמוֹת עַד סוֹף הַתּוֹרָה, וְהוּא הַנִּקְרָא מְכִלְּתָא; וְכֵן רִבִּי עֲקִיבָה חִבַּר מְכִלְּתָא. וַחֲכָמִים אֲחֵרִים אַחֲרֵיהֶם חִבְּרוּ מִדְרָשׁוֹת. וְהַכֹּל חֻבַּר קֹדֶם הַתַּלְמוּד הַבַּבְלִי.
(כט) נִמְצָא רַבִּינָא וְרָב אַשֵׁי וְחַבְרֵיהֶם, סוֹף גְּדוֹלֵי חַכְמֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הַמַּעְתִּיקִים תּוֹרָה שֶׁבְּעַל פֶּה, וְשֶׁגָּזְרוּ גְּזֵרוֹת וְהִתְקִינוּ תַּקָּנוֹת וְהִנְהִיגוּ מִנְהָגוֹת וּפָשְׁטוּ גְּזֵרוֹתָם וְתַקָּנוֹתָם וּמִנְהֲגוֹתָם בְּכָל יִשְׂרָאֵל, בְּכָל מְקוֹמוֹת מוֹשְׁבוֹתֵיהֶם.
(ל) וְאַחַר בֵּית דִּינוֹ שֶׁלְּרָב אַשֵׁי, שֶׁחִבַּר הַתַּלְמוּד בִּימֵי בְּנוֹ וּגְמָרוֹ, נִתְפַּזְּרוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּכָל הָאֲרָצוֹת פִּזּוּר יָתֵר, וְהִגִּיעוּ לַקְּצָווֹת וְלָאִיִּים הָרְחוֹקִים; וְרָבְתָה קְטָטָה בָּעוֹלָם, וְנִשְׁתַּבְּשׁוּ הַדְּרָכִים בִּגְיָסוֹת. וְנִתְמַעַט תַּלְמוּד תּוֹרָה, וְלֹא נִתְכַּנְּסוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל לִלְמֹד בִּישִׁיבוֹתֵיהֶם אֲלָפִים וּרְבָבוֹת כְּמוֹ שֶׁהָיוּ מִקֹּדֶם.
(לא) אֵלָא מִתְקַבְּצִים יְחִידִים הַשְּׂרִידִים אֲשֶׁר ה' קוֹרֶא בְּכָל עִיר וְעִיר וּבְכָל מְדִינָה וּמְדִינָה, וְעוֹסְקִים בַּתּוֹרָה, וּמְבִינִים בְּחִבּוּרֵי הַחֲכָמִים כֻּלָּם, וְיוֹדְעִים מֵהֶם דֶּרֶךְ הַמִּשְׁפָּט הֵיאַךְ הוּא.
(לב) וְכָל בֵּית דִּין שֶׁעָמַד אַחַר הַתַּלְמוּד בְּכָל מְדִינָה וּמְדִינָה וְגָזַר אוֹ הִתְקִין אוֹ הִנְהִיג לִבְנֵי מְדִינָתוֹ, אוֹ לִבְנֵי מְדִינוֹת – לֹא פָשְׁטוּ מַעֲשָׂיו בְּכָל יִשְׂרָאֵל: מִפְּנֵי רֹחַק מוֹשְׁבוֹתֵיהֶם, וְשִׁבּוּשׁ הַדְּרָכִים; וֶהֱיוֹת בֵּית דִּין שֶׁלְּאוֹתָהּ הַמְּדִינָה יְחִידִים, וּבֵית דִּין הַגָּדוֹל שֶׁלְּשִׁבְעִים בָּטַל מִכַּמָּה שָׁנִים קֹדֶם חִבּוּר הַתַּלְמוּד.
(לג) לְפִיכָּךְ אֵין כּוֹפִין אַנְשֵׁי מְדִינָה זוֹ לִנְהֹג בְּמִנְהַג מְדִינָה אַחֶרֶת, וְאֵין אוֹמְרִין לְבֵית דִּין זֶה לִגְזֹר גְּזֵרָה שֶׁגְּזָרָהּ בֵּית דִּין אַחֵר בִּמְדִינָתוֹ. וְכֵן אִם לִמַּד אֶחָד מִן הַגְּאוֹנִים שֶׁדֶּרֶךְ הַמִּשְׁפָּט כָּךְ הוּא, וְנִתְבָּאַר לְבֵית דִּין אַחֵר שֶׁעָמַד אַחֲרָיו שְׁאֵין זֶה דֶּרֶךְ הַמִּשְׁפָּט הַכָּתוּב בַּתַּלְמוּד – אֵין שׁוֹמְעִין לָרִאשׁוֹן, אֵלָא לְמִי שֶׁהַדַּעַת נוֹטָה לִדְבָרָיו, בֵּין רִאשׁוֹן, בֵּין אַחֲרוֹן.
(לד) וּדְבָרִים הַלָּלוּ, בְּדִינִים וּגְזֵרוֹת וְתַקָּנוֹת וּמִנְהָגוֹת שֶׁנִּתְחַדְּשׁוּ אַחַר חִבּוּר הַתַּלְמוּד. אֲבָל כָּל הַדְּבָרִים שֶׁבַּתַּלְמוּד הַבַּבְלִי, חַיָּבִין כָּל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל לָלֶכֶת בָּהֶם; וְכוֹפִין כָּל עִיר וְעִיר וְכָל מְדִינָה וּמְדִינָה לִנְהֹג בְּכָל הַמִּנְהָגוֹת שֶׁנָּהֲגוּ חֲכָמִים שֶׁבַּתַּלְמוּד, וְלִגְזֹר גְּזֵרוֹתָם וְלָלֶכֶת בְּתַקָּנוֹתָם.
(לה) הוֹאִיל וְכָל אוֹתָן הַדְּבָרִים שֶׁבַּתַּלְמוּד הִסְכִּימוּ עֲלֵיהֶם כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאוֹתָן הַחֲכָמִים שֶׁהִתְקִינוּ אוֹ שֶׁגָּזְרוּ אוֹ שֶׁהִנְהִיגוּ אוֹ שֶׁדָּנוּ דִּין וְלִמְּדוּ שֶׁהַמִּשְׁפָּט כָּךְ הוּא הֶם כָּל חַכְמֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אוֹ רֻבָּן, וְהֶם שֶׁשָּׁמְעוּ הַקַּבָּלָה בְּעִיקְרֵי הַתּוֹרָה כֻּלָּהּ, אִישׁ מִפִּי אִישׁ עַד מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ.
(לו) כָּל הַחֲכָמִים שֶׁעָמְדוּ אַחַר חִבּוּר הַתַּלְמוּד וּבָנוּ בּוֹ, וְיָצָא לָהֶם שֵׁם בְּחָכְמָתָם – הֶם הַנִּקְרָאִים גְּאוֹנִים. וְכָל אֵלּוּ הַגְּאוֹנִים שֶׁעָמְדוּ בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל וּבְאֶרֶץ שִׁנְעָר וּבִסְפָרַד וּבְצָרְפַת לִמְּדוּ דֶּרֶךְ הַתַּלְמוּד וְהוֹצִיאוּ לָאוֹר תַּעֲלוּמוֹתָיו וּבֵאֲרוּ עִנְיָנָיו, לְפִי שֶׁדֶּרֶךְ עֲמוּקָה דַּרְכּוֹ עַד לִמְאוֹד. וְעוֹד שְׁהוּא בִּלְשׁוֹן אֲרַמִּי מְעֹרָב עִם לְשׁוֹנוֹת אֲחֵרוֹת, לְפִי שֶׁאוֹתָהּ הַלָּשׁוֹן הָיְתָה בְּרוּרָה לַכֹּל בְּשִׁנְעָר בָּעֵת שֶׁחֻבַּר הַתַּלְמוּד; אֲבָל בִּשְׁאָר הַמְּקוֹמוֹת וְכֵן בְּשִׁנְעָר בִּימֵי הַגְּאוֹנִים, אֵין אָדָם מַכִּיר אוֹתָהּ לָשׁוֹן עַד שֶׁמְּלַמְּדִים אוֹתוֹ.
(לז) וּשְׁאֵלוֹת רַבּוֹת שׁוֹאֲלִין אַנְשֵׁי כָּל עִיר וְעִיר לְכָל גָּאוֹן שֶׁיִּהְיֶה בִּימֵיהֶם לְפָרַשׁ לָהֶם דְּבָרִים קָשִׁים שֶׁבַּתַּלְמוּד, וְהֶם מְשִׁיבִים לָהֶם כְּפִי חָכְמָתָם; וְאוֹתָן הַשּׁוֹאֲלִין מְקַבְּצִין הַתְּשׁוּבוֹת, וְעוֹשִׂין מֵהֶן סְפָרִים לְהָבִין מֵהֶם.
(לח) גַּם חִבְּרוּ הַגְּאוֹנִים שֶׁבְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר, חִבּוּרִין לְבָאַר הַתַּלְמוּד: מֵהֶם מִי שֶׁפֵּרַשׁ הֲלָכוֹת יְחִידוֹת, וּמֵהֶם מִי שֶׁפֵּרַשׁ פְּרָקִים יְחִידִים שֶׁנִּתְקַשּׁוּ בְּיָמָיו, וּמֵהֶם מִי שֶׁפֵּרַשׁ מַסֶּכְתּוֹת וּסְדָרִים.
(לט) וְעוֹד חִבְּרוּ הֲלָכוֹת פְּסוּקוֹת, בְּעִנְיַן הָאָסוּר וְהַמֻּתָּר וְהַחַיָּב וְהַפָּטוּר, בִּדְבָרִים שֶׁהַשָּׁעָה צְרִיכָה לָהֶם, כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּהְיוּ קְרוֹבִין לְמַדַּע מִי שְׁאֵינוּ יָכוֹל לֵירַד לְעָמְקוֹ שֶׁלַּתַּלְמוּד. וְזוֹ הִיא מְלֶאכֶת ה' שֶׁעָשׂוּ בָּהּ כָּל גְּאוֹנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, מִיּוֹם שֶׁחֻבַּר הַתַּלְמוּד וְעַד זְמָן זֶה, שְׁהוּא שָׁנָה שְׁמִינִית אַחַר מֵאָה וְאֶלֶף לְחָרְבָּן.
(מ) וּבַזְּמָן הַזֶּה תָּכְפוּ צָרוֹת יְתֵרוֹת, וְדָחֲקָה שָׁעָה אֶת הַכֹּל, וְאָבְדָה חָכְמַת חֲכָמֵינוּ, וּבִינַת נְבוֹנֵינוּ נִסְתַּתְּרָה; לְפִיכָּךְ אוֹתָן הַפֵּרוּשִׁין וְהַתְּשׁוּבוֹת וְהַהֲלָכוֹת שֶׁחִבְּרוּ הַגְּאוֹנִים, וְרָאוּ שְׁהֶם דְּבָרִים מְבֹאָרִים, נִתְקַשּׁוּ בְּיָמֵינוּ, וְאֵין מֵבִין עִנְיְנֵיהֶם כָּרָאוּי אֵלָא מְעַט בְּמִסְפָּר. וְאֵין צָרִיךְ לוֹמַר, הַתַּלְמוּד עַצְמוֹ: הַבַּבְלִי, וְהַיְּרוּשְׁלְמִי, וְסִפְרָא, וְסִפְרֵי, וְהַתּוֹסֶפְתּוֹת – שְׁהֶן צְרִיכִין דַּעַת רְחָבָה וְנֶפֶשׁ חֲכָמָה וּזְמָן אָרוּךְ, וְאַחַר כָּךְ יִוָּדַע מֵהֶן הַדֶּרֶךְ הַנְּכוֹחָה בַּדְּבָרִים הָאֲסוּרִין וְהַמֻּתָּרִין וּשְׁאָר דִּינֵי תּוֹרָה הֵיאַךְ הִיא.
(מא) וּמִפְּנֵי זֶה נָעַרְתִּי חָצְנִי, אֲנִי מֹשֶׁה בֵּירִבִּי מַיְמוֹן הַסְּפָרַדִּי, וְנִשְׁעַנְתִּי עַל הַצּוּר בָּרוּךְ הוּא, וּבִינוֹתִי בְּכָל אֵלּוּ הַסְּפָרִים; וְרָאִיתִי לְחַבַּר דְּבָרִים הַמִּתְבָּרְרִים מִכָּל אֵלּוּ הַחִבּוּרִין, בְּעִנְיַן הָאָסוּר וְהַמֻּתָּר וְהַטָּמֵא וְהַטָּהוֹר עִם שְׁאָר דִּינֵי תּוֹרָה: כֻּלָּן בְּלָשׁוֹן בְּרוּרָה וְדֶרֶךְ קְצָרָה, עַד שֶׁתְּהֶא תּוֹרָה שֶׁבְּעַל פֶּה כֻּלָּהּ סְדוּרָה בְּפִי הַכֹּל – בְּלֹא קֻשְׁיָה וְלֹא פֵּרוּק, וְלֹא זֶה אוֹמֵר בְּכֹה וְזֶה אוֹמֵר בְּכֹה, אֵלָא דְּבָרִים בְּרוּרִים קְרוֹבִים נְכוֹנִים, עַל פִּי הַמִּשְׁפָּט אֲשֶׁר יִתְבָּאַר מִכָּל אֵלּוּ הַחִבּוּרִין וְהַפֵּרוּשִׁין הַנִּמְצָאִים מִיְּמוֹת רַבֵּנוּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ וְעַד עַכְשָׁו.
(מב) עַד שֶׁיִּהְיוּ כָּל הַדִּינִין גְּלוּיִין לַקָּטָן וְלַגָּדוֹל בְּדִין כָּל מִצְוָה וּמִצְוָה, וּבְדִין כָּל הַדְּבָרִים שֶׁתִּקְּנוּ חֲכָמִים וּנְבִיאִים: כְּלָלוֹ שֶׁלַּדָּבָר, כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יְהֶא אָדָם צָרִיךְ לְחִבּוּר אַחֵר בָּעוֹלָם בְּדִין מִדִּינֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל; אֵלָא יִהְיֶה חִבּוּר זֶה מְקַבֵּץ לְתוֹרָה שֶׁבְּעַל פֶּה כֻּלָּהּ, עִם הַתַּקָּנוֹת וְהַמִּנְהָגוֹת וְהַגְּזֵרוֹת שֶׁנַּעֲשׂוּ מִיְּמוֹת מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ וְעַד חִבּוּר הַתַּלְמוּד, וּכְמוֹ שֶׁפֵּרְשׁוּ לָנוּ הַגְּאוֹנִים בְּכָל חִבּוּרֵיהֶן, שֶׁחִבְּרוּ אַחַר הַתַּלְמוּד. לְפִיכָּךְ קָרָאתִי שֵׁם חִבּוּר זֶה מִשְׁנֵה תּוֹרָה – לְפִי שֶׁאָדָם קוֹרֶא תּוֹרָה שֶׁבִּכְתָב תְּחִלָּה, וְאַחַר כָּךְ קוֹרֶא בְּזֶה, וְיוֹדֵעַ מִמֶּנּוּ תּוֹרָה שֶׁבְּעַל פֶּה כֻּלָּהּ, וְאֵינוּ צָרִיךְ לִקְרוֹת סֵפֶר אַחֵר בֵּינֵיהֶם.
(מג) וְרָאִיתִי לְחַלַּק חִבּוּר זֶה הֲלָכוֹת הֲלָכוֹת בְּכָל עִנְיָן וְעִנְיָן, וַאֲחַלַּק הַהֲלָכוֹת לִפְרָקִים שֶׁבְּאוֹתוֹ עִנְיָן; וְכָל פֵּרֶק וּפֵרֶק אֲחַלַּק אוֹתוֹ לַהֲלָכוֹת קְטַנּוֹת, כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּהְיוּ סְדוּרִין עַל פֶּה.
(מד) אֵלּוּ הַהֲלָכוֹת שֶׁבְּכָל עִנְיָן וְעִנְיָן – יֵשׁ מֵהֶן הֲלָכוֹת שְׁהֶן מִשְׁפְּטֵי מִצְוָה אַחַת בִּלְבָד, וְהִיא הַמִּצְוָה שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהּ דִּבְרֵי קַבָּלָה הַרְבֵּה וְהִיא עִנְיָן בִּפְנֵי עַצְמוֹ; וְיֵשׁ מֵהֶן הֲלָכוֹת שְׁהֶן כּוֹלְלִין מִשְׁפְּטֵי מִצְווֹת הַרְבֵּה, אִם יִהְיוּ אוֹתָן הַמִּצְווֹת כֻּלָּן בְּעִנְיָן אֶחָד: מִפְּנֵי שֶׁחִלּוּק חִבּוּר זֶה הוּא לְפִי הָעִנְיָנִים לֹא לְפִי מִנְיַן הַמִּצְווֹת, כְּמוֹ שֶׁיִּתְבָּאַר לַקּוֹרֶא בּוֹ.
(מה) וּמִנְיַן מִצְווֹת שֶׁלַּתּוֹרָה הַנּוֹהֲגוֹת לְדוֹרוֹת, שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת וּשְׁלוֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה מִצְווֹת: מֵהֶן מִצְווֹת עֲשֵׂה מָאתַיִם שְׁמוֹנֶה וְאַרְבָּעִים, סִימָן לָהֶן מִנְיַן אֵבָרָיו שֶׁלָּאָדָם; וּמֵהֶן מִצְווֹת לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה שְׁלוֹשׁ מֵאוֹת חָמֵשׁ וְשִׁשִּׁים, סִימָן לָהֶן מִנְיַן יְמוֹת הַחַמָּה.
(1) The Rambam's Introduction
"In the name of God, Lord of the world" (Genesis 21:33)
"Then I will not be ashamed when I gaze at all Your mitzvot" (Psalms 119:6).
The mitzvot given to Moses at Mount Sinai were all given together with their explanations, as implied by [Exodus 24:12]: "And I will give you the tablets of stone, the Torah, and the mitzvah."
"The Torah" refers to the Written Law; "the mitzvah," to its explanation. [God] commanded us to fulfill "the Torah" according to [the instructions of] "the mitzvah." "The mitzvah" is called the Oral Law.
(2) Moses, our teacher, personally transcribed the entire Torah before he died. He gave a Torah scroll to each tribe and placed another scroll in the ark as a testimonial, as [Deuteronomy 31:26] states: "Take this Torah scroll and place it [beside the ark…] and it will be there as a testimonial."
(3) "The mitzvah" - i.e., the explanation of the Torah - he did not transcribe. Instead, he commanded it [verbally] to the elders, to Joshua, and to the totality of Israel, as [Deuteronomy 13:1] states: "Be careful to observe everything that I prescribe to you." For this reason, it is called the Oral Law.
(4) Even though the Oral Law was not transcribed, Moses, our teacher, taught it in its entirety in his court to the seventy elders. Elazar, Pinchas, and Joshua received the tradition from Moses.
[In particular, Moses] transmitted the Oral Law to Joshua, who was his [primary] disciple, and instructed him regarding it.
(5) Similarly, throughout his life Joshua taught the Oral Law. Many elders received the tradition from him.
Eli received the tradition from the elders and from Pinchas. Samuel received the tradition from Eli and his court. David received the tradition from Samuel and his court.
Achiah of Shiloh was one of those who experienced the exodus from Egypt.10See Bava Batra 121b. He was a Levite and heard [teachings] from Moses. He was, however, of low stature in Moses' age. Afterwards, he received the tradition from David and his court.
(6) Elijah received the tradition from Achiah of Shiloh and his court. Elisha received the tradition from Elijah and his court.
Yehoyada, the priest, received the tradition from Elisha and his court. Zechariah received the tradition from Yehoyada and his court. Hoshea received the tradition from Zechariah and his court. Amos received the tradition from Hoshea and his court. Isaiah received the tradition from Amos and his court. Michah received the tradition from Isaiah and his court. Yoel received the tradition from Michah and his court. Nachum received the tradition from Yoel and his court. Chabbakuk received the tradition from Nachum and his court. Tzefaniah received the tradition from Chabbakuk and his court.
Jeremiah received the tradition from Tzefaniah and his court. Baruch ben Neriyah received the tradition from Jeremiah and his court. Ezra and his court received the tradition from Baruch and his court.
(7) [The members of] Ezra's court are referred to as Anshei K'nesset Hagedolah (the men of the great assembly). They included Chaggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Daniel, Chananiah, Mishael, Azariah, Nechemiah ben Chakaliah, Mordechai the linguist, Zerubavel and many other sages - 120 elders in all.
The last [surviving] member of this group was Shimon the Just. He was included among the 120 elders and received the Oral Law from all of them. He served as the High Priest after Ezra.
(8) Antignos of Socho and his court received the tradition from Shimon the Just and his court.
Yosse ben Yo'ezer of Tzreidah and Yosef ben Yochanan of Jerusalem and their court received the tradition from Antignos and his court. Yehoshua ben Perachiah and Nittai of Arbel and their court received the tradition from Yosse ben Yo'ezer and Yosef ben Yochanan and their court. Yehudah ben Tabbai and Shimon ben Shatach and their court received the tradition from Yehoshua ben Perachiah and Nittai of Arbel and their court. Shemayah and Avtalion, who were righteous converts, and their court received the tradition from Yehudah and Shimon and their court.
Hillel and Shammai and their court received the tradition from Shemayah and Avtalion and their court. Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai and Rabbi Shimon, the son of Hillel the elder, received the tradition from Hillel [and Shammai] and his [their] court[s].
(9) Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai had five students [who were] great sages and received the tradition from him. They were: Rabbi Eleazar the great, Rabbi Yehoshua, Rabbi Yosse the priest, Rabbi Shimon ben Netanel and Rabbi Elazar ben Arach. Rabbi Akiva ben Yosef received from Rabbi Eleazar the great. Yosef, his father, was a righteous convert.
Rabbi Yishmael and Rabbi Meir, a son of righteous converts, received the tradition from Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Meir and his colleagues also received the tradition from Rabbi Yishmael.
(10) The colleagues of Rabbi Meir include Rabbi Yehudah, Rabbi Yosse, Rabbi Shimon, Rabbi Nechemiah, Rabbi Elazar ben Shamu'a, Rabbi Yochanan the shoemaker, Shimon ben Azzai, and Rabbi Chananiah ben Teradion. Similarly, Rabbi Akiva's colleagues also received the tradition from Rabbi Eleazar the great. Rabbi Akiva's colleagues include Rabbi Tarfon - the teacher of Rabbi Yosse of the Galil - Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar, and Rabbi Yochanan ben Nuri.
(11) Rabban Gamliel the elder received the tradition from Rabban Shimon, his father - the son of Hillel the elder. Rabban Shimon, his son, received the tradition from him. Rabban Gamliel, his son, received the tradition from him and Rabban Shimon, his son, received the tradition from him.
Rabbi Yehudah, the son of Rabban Shimon and referred to as Rabbenu Hakadosh ("our saintly teacher") received the tradition from his father, from Rabbi Elazar ben Shamu'a, and from Rabban Shimon and his colleagues.
(12) Rabbenu Hakadosh composed the Mishnah. From the days of Moses, our teacher, until Rabbenu Hakadosh, no one had composed a text for the purpose of teaching the Oral Law in public. Instead, in each generation, the head of the court or the prophet of that generation would take notes of the teachings which he received from his masters for himself, and teach them verbally in public.
(13) Similarly, according to his own potential, each individual would write notes for himself of what he heard regarding the explanation of the Torah, its laws, and the new concepts that were deduced in each generation concerning laws that were not communicated by the oral tradition, but rather deduced using one of the thirteen principles of Biblical exegesis and accepted by the high court. This situation continued until [the age of] Rabbenu Hakadosh.
(14) He collected all the teachings, all the laws, and all the explanations and commentaries that were heard from Moses, our teacher, and which were taught by the courts in each generation concerning the entire Torah. From all these, he composed the text of the Mishnah. He taught it to the Sages in public and revealed it to the Jewish people, who all wrote it down. They spread it in all places so that the Oral Law would not be forgotten by the Jewish people.
(15) Why did Rabbenu Hakadosh make [such an innovation] instead of perpetuating the status quo? Because he saw the students becoming fewer, new difficulties constantly arising, the Roman Empire spreading itself throughout the world and becoming more powerful, and the Jewish people wandering and becoming dispersed to the far ends of the world. [Therefore,] he composed a single text that would be available to everyone, so that it could be studied quickly and would not be forgotten. Throughout his entire life, he and his court taught the Mishnah to the masses.
(16) These are the great Sages who were part of the court of Rabbenu Hakadosh and who received the tradition from him: His sons, Shimon and Gamliel, Rabbi Effess, Rabbi Chanina ben Chama, Rabbi Chiyya, Rav, Rabbi Yannai, bar Kafra, Shemuel, Rabbi Yochanan, Rabbi Hoshaia. Thousands and myriads of other sages received the tradition from [Rabbenu Hakadosh] together with these great sages.
(17) Even though all of the eleven sages mentioned above received the tradition from Rabbenu Hakadosh and attended his study sessions, [there are differences between them. At that time,] Rabbi Yochanan was of lesser stature. Afterwards, he became a disciple of Rabbi Yannai and received instruction from him. Similarly, Rav received the tradition from Rabbi Yannai, and Shemuel received the tradition from Rabbi Chanina ben Chama.
(18) Rav composed the Sifra and the Sifre to explain the sources for the Mishnah. Rabbi Chiyya composed the Tosefta to explain the subjects [discussed in] the Mishnah. Rabbi Hoshaia and bar Kafra composed baraitot to explain the matters [discussed in] the Mishnah. Rabbi Yochanan composed the Jerusalem Talmud in Eretz Yisrael approximately three hundred years after the destruction of the Temple.
(19) Among the great sages who received the tradition from Rav and Shemuel were: Rav Huna, Rav Yehudah, Rav Nachman, and Rav Kahana. Among the great sages who received the tradition from Rabbi Yochanan were: Ravvah bar bar Channah, Rav Ami, Rav Assi, Rav Dimi, and Rav Avin.
(20) Among the Sages who received the tradition from Rav Huna and Rav Yehudah were Rabbah and Rav Yosef. Among the sages who received the tradition from Rabbah and Rav Yosef were Abbaye and Ravva. Both of them also received the tradition from Rav Nachman. Among the Sages who received the tradition from Ravva were Rav Ashi and Ravina. Mar bar Rav Ashi received the tradition from Rav Ashi, his father, and from Ravina.
(21) Thus, there were forty generations from Rav Ashi back to Moses, our teacher, of blessed memory. They were:
1) Rav Ashi [received the tradition] from Ravva.
2) Ravva [received the tradition] from Rabbah.
3) Rabbah [received the tradition] from Rav Huna.
4) Rav Huna [received the tradition] from Rabbi Yochanan, Rav, and Shemuel.
5) Rabbi Yochanan, Rav, and Shemuel [received the tradition] from Rabbenu Hakadosh.
6) Rabbenu Hakadosh [received the tradition] from Rabbi Shimon, his father.
7) Rabbi Shimon [received the tradition] from Rabban Gamliel, his father.
8) Rabban Gamliel [received the tradition] from Rabban Shimon, his father.
9) Rabban Shimon [received the tradition] from Rabban Gamliel, the elder, his father.
10) Rabban Gamliel, the elder, [received the tradition] from Rabban Shimon, his father.
11) Rabban Shimon [received the Tradition] from Hillel, his father, and Shammai.
12) Hillel and Shammai [received the tradition] from Shemayah and Avtalion.
13) Shemayah and Avtalion [received the tradition] from Yehudah and Shimon [ben Shatach].
14) Yehudah and Shimon [received the tradition] from Yehoshua ben Perachiah and Nittai of Arbel.
15) Yehoshua and Nittai [received the tradition] from Yosse ben Yo'ezer and Yosef ben Yochanan.
16) Yosse ben Yo'ezer and Yosef ben Yochanan [received the tradition] from Antignos.
17) Antignos [received the tradition] from Shimon the Just.
18) Shimon the Just [received the tradition] from Ezra.
19) Ezra [received the tradition] from Baruch.
20) Baruch [received the tradition] from Jeremiah.
21) Jeremiah [received the tradition] from Tzefaniah.
22) Tzefaniah [received the tradition] from Chabbakuk.
23) Chabbakuk [received the tradition] from Nachum.
24) Nachum [received the tradition] from Yoel.
25) Yoel [received the tradition] from Michah.
26) Michah [received the tradition] from Isaiah.
27) Isaiah [received the tradition] from Amos.
28) Amos [received the tradition] from Hoshea.
29) Hoshea [received the tradition] from Zechariah.
30) Zechariah [received the tradition] from Yehoyada.
31) Yehoyada [received the tradition] from Elisha.
32) Elisha [received the tradition] from Elijah.
33) Elijah [received the tradition] from Achiah.
34) Achiah [received the tradition] from David.
35) David [received the tradition] from Shemuel.
36) Shemuel [received the tradition] from Eli.
37) Eli [received the tradition] from Pinchas.
38) Pinchas [received the tradition] from Joshua.
39) Joshua [received the tradition] from Moses, our teacher.
40) Moses, our teacher, [received the tradition] from the Almighty.
(22) Thus, [the source of] all these people's knowledge is God, the Lord of Israel. All the sages who were mentioned were the leaders of the generations. Among them were heads of academies, heads of the exile, and members of the great Sanhedrin. Together with them in each generation, there were thousands and myriads that heard their [teachings].
(23) Ravina and Rav Ashi were the final generation of the Sages of the Talmud. Rav Ashi composed the Babylonian Talmud in Shin'ar approximately one hundred years after Rabbi Yochanan composed the Jerusalem Talmud.
(24) The intent of both the Talmuds is to elucidate the words of the Mishnah, to explain its deeper points, and [to relate] the new matters that were developed by each court from the era of Rabbenu Hakadosh until the composition of the Talmud. From the entire [body of knowledge stemming from] the two Talmuds, the Tosefta, the Sifra, and the Sifre, can be derived the forbidden and the permitted, the impure and the pure, the liable and those who are free of liability, the invalid and the valid as was received [in tradition], one person from another, [in a chain extending back] to Moses at Mount Sinai.
(25) Also, [the sources mentioned above] relate those matters which were decreed by the sages and prophets in each generation in order to "build a fence around the Torah." We were explicitly taught about [this practice] by Moses, as [implied by Leviticus 18:30]: "And you shall observe My precepts," [which can be interpreted to mean]: "Make safeguards for My precepts."
(26) Similarly, it includes the customs and ordinances that were ordained or practiced in each generation according to [the judgment of] the governing court of that generation. It is forbidden to deviate from [these decisions], as [implied by Deuteronomy 17:11]: "Do not deviate from the instructions that they will give you, left or right."
(27) It also includes marvelous judgments and laws which were not received from Moses, but rather were derived by the courts of the [later] generations based on the principles of Biblical exegesis. The elders of those generations made these decisions and concluded that this was the law. Rav Ashi included in the Talmud this entire [body of knowledge, stemming] from the era of Moses, our teacher, until his [own] era.
(28) The Sages of the Mishnah also composed other texts to explain the words of the Torah. Rabbi Hoshaia, the disciple of Rabbenu Hakadosh, composed an explanation of the book of Genesis. Rabbi Yishmael [composed] an explanation beginning at "These are the names" [the beginning of the book of Exodus,] until the conclusion of the Torah. This is called the Mechilta. Rabbi Akiva also composed a Mechilta. Other Sages of the following generations composed other [collections of the] interpretations [of verses] (Medrashim). All of these works were composed before the Babylonian Talmud.
(29) Thus, Ravina, Rav Ashi, and their colleagues represent the final era of the great Sages of Israel who transmitted the Oral Law. They passed decrees, ordained practices, and put into effect customs. These decrees, ordinances, and customs spread out among the entire Jewish people in all the places where they lived.
(30) After the court of Rav Ashi composed the Talmud and completed it in the time of his son, the Jewish people became further dispersed throughout all the lands, reaching the distant extremes and the far removed islands. Strife sprung up throughout the world, and the paths of travel became endangered by troops. Torah study decreased and the Jews ceased entering their yeshivot in the thousands and myriads, as was customary previously.
(31) Instead, individuals, the remnants whom God called, would gather in each city and country, occupy themselves in Torah study, and [devote themselves] to understanding the texts of the Sages and learning the path of judgment from them.
(32) Every court that was established after the conclusion of the Talmud, regardless of the country in which it was established, issued decrees, enacted ordinances, and established customs for the people of that country - or those of several countries. These practices, however, were not accepted throughout the Jewish people, because of the distance between [their different] settlements and the disruption of communication [between them]. Since each of these courts were considered to be individuals - and the High Court of 71 judges had been defunct for many years before the composition of the Talmud -
(33) People in one country could not be compelled to follow the practices of another country, nor is one court required to sanction decrees which another court had declared in its locale. Similarly, if one of the Geonim interpreted the path of judgment in a certain way, while the court which arose afterward interpreted the proper approach to the matter in a different way, the [opinion of the] first [need] not be adhered to [absolutely]. Rather, whichever [position] appears to be correct - whether the first or the last - is accepted.
(34) These [principles apply regarding] the judgments, decrees, ordinances, and customs which were established after the conclusion of the Talmud. However, all the matters mentioned by the Babylonian Talmud are incumbent on the entire Jewish people to follow. We must compel each and every city and each country to accept all the customs that were put into practice by the Sages of the Talmud, to pass decrees parallelling their decrees, and to observe their ordinances, since all the matters in the Babylonian Talmud were accepted by the entire Jewish people.
(35) The [Talmudic] Sages who established ordinances and decrees, put customs into practice, arrived at legal decisions, and taught [the people] concerning certain judgments represented the totality of the Sages of Israel or, at least, the majority of them. They received the tradition regarding the fundamental aspects of the Torah in its entirety, generation after generation, [in a chain beginning with] Moses, our teacher.
(36) All the Sages who arose after the conclusion of the Talmud and comprehended its [wisdom] and whose prowess gained them a reputation are called the Geonim. All these Geonim that arose in Eretz Yisrael, Babylonia, Spain, and France taught the approach of the Talmud, revealing its hidden secrets and explaining its points, since [the Talmud's] manner of expression is very deep. Furthermore, it is composed in Aramaic, with a mixture of other tongues. This language was understood by the people of Babylonia in the era when the Talmud was composed.
(37) However, in other places, and even in Babylonia in the era of the Geonim, a person cannot understand this language unless he has studied it. The inhabitants of each city would ask many questions of each Gaon who lived in their age, to explain the difficult matters that existed in the Talmud. They would reply to them according to their wisdom. The people who had asked the questions would collect the replies and make texts from them, so that they could consider them in depth.
(38) Also, the Geonim of each generation composed texts to explain the Talmud. Some of the them explained only certain halachot. Others explained selected chapters that had created difficulty in their age. Still others explained entire tractates and orders.
(39) Also, [the Geonim] composed [texts recording] the decisions of Torah law regarding what is permitted and what is forbidden, when one is liable and when one is free of liability, with regard to subjects that were necessary at the time, so that they would be accessible to the grasp of a person who could not comprehend the depths of the Talmud. This is the work of God, which was performed by all the Geonim of Israel from the completion of the Talmud until the present date, 1108 years after the destruction of the Temple, 4937 years after the creation of the world.
(40) At this time, we have been beset by additional difficulties, everyone feels [financial] pressure, the wisdom of our Sages has become lost, and the comprehension of our men of understanding has become hidden. Therefore, those explanations, laws, and replies which the Geonim composed and considered to be fully explained material have become difficult to grasp in our age, and only a select few comprehend these matters in the proper way. Needless to say, [there is confusion] with regard to the Talmud itself - both the Jerusalem and Babylonian Talmuds - the Sifra, the Sifre, and the Tosefta, for they require a breadth of knowledge, a spirit of wisdom, and much time, for appreciating the proper path regarding what is permitted and forbidden, and the other laws of the Torah.
(41) Therefore, I girded my loins - I, Moses, the son of Maimon, of Spain. I relied upon the Rock, blessed be He. I contemplated all these texts and sought to compose [a work which would include the conclusions] derived from all these texts regarding the forbidden and the permitted, the impure and the pure, and the remainder of the Torah's laws, all in clear and concise terms, so that the entire Oral Law could be organized in each person's mouth without questions or objections. Instead of [arguments], this one claiming such and another such, [this text will allow for] clear and correct statements based on the judgments that result from all the texts and explanations mentioned above, from the days of Rabbenu Hakadosh until the present.
(42) [This will make it possible] for all the laws to be revealed to both those of lesser stature and those of greater stature, regarding every single mitzvah, and also all the practices that were ordained by the Sages and the Prophets. To summarize: [The intent of this text is] that a person will not need another text at all with regard to any Jewish law. Rather, this text will be a compilation of the entire Oral Law, including also the ordinances, customs, and decrees that were enacted from the time of Moses, our teacher, until the completion of the Talmud, as were explained by the Geonim in the texts they composed after the Talmud. Therefore, I have called this text, Mishneh Torah ["the second to the Torah,"with the intent that] a person should first study the Written Law, and then study this text and comprehend the entire Oral Law from it, without having to study any other text between the two.
(43) I saw fit to divide this text into [separate] halachot pertaining to each [particular] subject, and, within the context of a single subject, to divide those halachot into chapters. Each and every chapter is divided into smaller halachot so that they can be ordered in one's memory.
(44) [Regarding] the halachot which pertain to specific subjects: Some of the halachot contain the laws governing only one mitzvah, this being a mitzvah that has many matters of the tradition [associated with it] and is a subject in its own right. Other halachot contain the laws governing many mitzvot, since they deal with the same subject matter, for I have divided this text according to topics, not according to the number of mitzvot, as will become clear to the reader.
(45) The number of mitzvot which are incumbent on us at all times is 613. 248 are positive commandments; an allusion to their [number], the number of limbs in the human body. 365 are negative commandments (prohibitions); an allusion to their [number,] the number of days in a solar year.
