Q&A: The Tanna of the Mishnah
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
The Tanna of the Mishnah
Question
Hello Rabbi,
Why is it important to the Talmud to clarify who the tanna of the Mishnah is?
Answer
Because in a tradition like ours, especially when it is transmitted orally, it is important to know the source so you can check whether it is reliable. Beyond that, sometimes there are contradictions between statements of the same sage, which force us to interpret them differently. And finally, there is also the principle of citing something in the name of the one who said it, which is apparently a value in its own right.