Scholar's Extensive Works on Oral Law Published

A new two-volume collection compiles the scholarly articles of Professor Yaakov Sussman, a prominent scholar of the Oral Law. Sussman, a recipient of the Israel Prize for Talmudic Research, is known for his meticulous philological approach. The collection includes his groundbreaking research on the nature and transmission of the Mishnah and the Jerusalem Talmud.

One of Sussman's major contributions, detailed in his 170-page article, argues that the Oral Law was transmitted orally for over a thousand years, contradicting theories of early written versions. He posits that the Mishnah was written down only during a later, historically obscure period due to pressure and fear of its loss, aligning with the view of Rashi rather than Maimonides.

Sussman also re-examined the textual traditions of the Mishnah, concluding that only one primary, Palestinian text type has survived. He suggests that in most Jewish diasporas during the Middle Ages, the Mishnah was studied only within the Babylonian Talmud, making standalone Mishnah texts rare. In contrast, areas influenced by the Palestinian tradition, such as Italy and Byzantium, continued to study and interpret the Mishnah separately, preserving its distinct textual tradition.

Further research by Sussman addresses the Jerusalem Talmud, examining its transmission and textual variations. He investigated the existence of a "Jerusalem Book," a possibly modified version of the Talmud, and analyzed the reasons for missing sections and chapters. Contrary to prevailing scholarly opinion, Sussman concluded that certain missing chapters, particularly at the end of tractates, were never written, rather than having been lost.

His work also delves into the textual traditions of the Mishnah tractate Shekalim, distinguishing between the original Jerusalem Talmudic text and later adaptations influenced by the Babylonian Talmud. Sussman also highlighted the critical importance of the Leiden manuscript for the printed Venetian edition of the Jerusalem Talmud, arguing that it preserved crucial ancient readings despite its own corruptions.

Additionally, Sussman's research shifted the focus of Dead Sea Scrolls studies from theology to Halakha (Jewish law), emphasizing its role in identity formation. He also wrote intellectual biographies and assessments of other significant scholars, including Ephraim Elimelech Urbach, Shneur Zalman Shachter, Yaakov Nachum Epstein, Rabbi Dov Ber Ratner, Rabbi Moshe Kosovsky, and Zechariah Frankel, showcasing his deep admiration for meticulous scholars.