The Amoraic Period (220 to 300-500 C.E.)
The Amoraim
were influential scholars and teachers who were active in community life, from the completion of the Mishnah around 220 C.E. to the close of the talmudic period with the completion of the Jerusalem and Babylonian Talmuds in the fourth and fifth centuries. Far outnumbering the Tannaim, they clarified and interpreted the teachings of the Tannaim, but were not permitted to dispute or contradict their authority. Five are listed below:
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"If a person is traveling and has no companion, let that one become immersed in Torah learning...if a person has a head ache, let that one become immersed in Torah learning...if a personal feels throat pain, let that one become immersed in Torah learning" (b. Eruvin 54a). |
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a. Beginning of third century C.E., during transition from Tannaim to Amoraim |
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b. Leading scholar, preacher, and interpreter or Torah |
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c. Lived in Israel |
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d. Head of the academy at Lydda |
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e. Praised humility for drawing near to the divine presence |
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f. Told stories with a message |
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Said that one should pray continually and that prayers should be recited in Hebrew because the ministering angels who deliver the prayers do not understand Aramaic (b Berakhot 21a and b. Shabbat 12b). |
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a. Second half of third century C.E. |
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b. Lived in Israel |
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c. Sold his inheritance to study Torah |
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d. Head of the academy in Tiberias |
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e. Major influence in compilation of Jerusalem Talmud |
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f. Emphasized charity, Torah study, and prayer |