Glossary (pps.xvii-xviii)

Talmud. Composed of the Mishnah and the Gemara, the Talmud essentially records the exegesis, debate, discussion, and conclusions involved in the illumination of the Oral Law, as opposed to a totally literal reading of the Pentateuch. There are two Talmuds: the larger and more comprehensive Babylonian Talmud (Talmud Bavli) and the smaller Palestinian Talmud (Talmud Yerushalmi). In the absence of a qualifying description, the term Talmud generally refers to Talmud Bavli.

Tanach. Acronym for Torah/Nmeeim/Kesuvim, (Pentateuch, Prophets, Writings), the three divisions of the Hebrew Bible.

Tefillah. (Jewish) prayer.

Theodicy. The problem of reconciling God and religion in the face of evil or (an attempt at) reconciling God and religion in the face of evil.

Note to reader: At the end of this book there are “snapshot biographies” of individuals cited.

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