Talmud, the central text of rabbinic Judaism has influenced the lives of Jews no less, and perhaps much more than the Hebrew Bible. The Talmud (literally "study, learning") contains the teachings, the discussions and opinions of rabbis on a variety of subjects pertaining to Halakhah (Jewish law) and ethics, philosophy and history, to mention just a few.

The Talmudic text, also known as Gemara (literally: tradition) is based on discussions which took place in Jewish academies between the third and the sixth centuries, in Palestine and in Babylonia. These discussions usually revolve around the Mishnah which was assembled in the beginning of the third century. The most popular and influential version of the Talmud is the Babylonian one, although a Palestinian version exists as well.

The Talmud, written in Hebrew and Aramaic has become the legal authority in rabbinic Judaism and is the basis for Halakhic discourse. Maimonides' Mishneh Torah is a legal code summarizing Jewish law and is based mainly on the Talmud.