Tannaim

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Template:Eras of the Halakha Tannaim (תנאים) is the plural term for the Rabbinic sages whose views are recorded in the Mishnah, from approx. 70-200 CE. The period of the Tannaim (also referred to as the Mishnaic period) came after the period of the Zugot ("pairs"), and before the period of the Amoraim; lasting about 130 years.

The singular form of the word, tanna (תנא), is an Aramaic term for the Hebrew word shana, which also is the root-word of Mishnah. The verb shano (שנה) literally means "to repeat [what one was taught]" and is used to mean "to learn".

The Mishnaic period is commonly divided up into five periods according to generations. There are approximately 120 known Tannaim.

The Tannaim lived in several areas of the land of Israel. The spiritual center of Judaism at that time was Jerusalem, but after the destruction of the city and the Second Temple, Yohanan ben Zakkai and his students founded a new religious center in Yavne. Other places of Judaic learning were founded by his students in Lod and in Bnei Brak.

Many of the Tannaim worked as laborers (e.g., charcoal burners, cobblers) in addition to their positions as teachers and legislators. They were also leaders of the people, and negotiators with the Roman Empire.

1 The origin of the Tannaim
2 Prominent Tannaim
- 2.1 The Nesi'im
3 The generations of the Tannaim
4 Compilers of the Mishnah
5 See also
6 External link

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The origin of the Tannaim

The Tannaim operated under the occupation of the Roman Empire. During this time, the priesthood of the temple became increasingly corrupt, many belonged to the Sadducees, and were seen by the Jewish people as collaborators with the Romans, whose mismanagement of Judea led to riots, revolts, and general resentment. Throughout much of the period, the office of the High Priest was rented out to the highest bidder, and the priests themselves extorted as much as they could from the pilgrims who came to sacrifice at the temple.

The conflict between the high priesthood and the people led to the split between the Sadducees and the Pharisees. The Sadducees (of the high priesthood) were supported by the Hasmonean royal family, and later by the Romans. The Pharisees were a more egalitarian sect; they accepted students from all the tribes, not only the Levites, and they also instituted new laws in addition to those set forth in the Torah. These laws make up the Mishnah, whose compilation marked the end of the period of the Tannaim.

Up until the days of Hillel and Shammai (the last generation of the Zugot), there were few disagreements among Rabbinic scholars. After this period, though, the "House of Hillel" and the "House of Shammai" represent two distinct perspectives on Jewish law, and disagreements between the two "houses" are found throughout the Mishnah.

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Prominent Tannaim

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The Nesi'im

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Hillel the Elder
Rabban Simeon, son of Hillel (nothing about him is known)
Rabban Gamliel the Elder
Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel
Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai
Rabban Gamliel of Yavne
Eleazar ben Azaria, who was Nasi for a short time after Raban Gamliel (above) was removed from his position for a short time.
Rabban Simeon, son of Gamliel of Yavne
Rabbi Yehuda Ha-Nasi (known simply as "Rabbi); compiled the Mishnah

Rabban was a title held only by the nasi. Eleazar son of Azaria did not receive the title because he only held the position a short time; while Hillel and Rabbi Yehuda were not known by the title because their names were seen as "greater than Rabban".

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