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Introduction to the Talmud
The Torah tells us the laws but it does not always define them. For example, the laws of kosher slaughter, the making of tefillin, the Temple menorah, etc. The answers to these doubts are found within the oral law. The oral law was taught to Moses and then it was transmitted to Joshuah, then to the Elders and then to the Men of the Great Assembly.
The "Talmud" consists of two major components. The Mishnah and the Gamorah. The Mishnah is a listing of the laws. It's name comes from the word shanah (to review), because it is the general "body of law," which should be memorized. The halachah (law) is derived from it, but it is not yet the complete, or practical halachah. The Gamorah dissects and defines the principle upon which the halachic decisions will be based.
All things consist of two parts, i.e., two souls, the Divine spark, and the earthly spark. Hence, the Torah / Mishnah is the corporal manifestation, and the Gamorah is the inner soul, which must be worked, tasted and felt, in order to become revealed to the one contemplating.
It cannot be read as one would read other commentary, but rather, it must be contemplated and understood. This is true study. One should review it in mind constantly, throughout the day, reciting the Mishnah, and then explaining it using the Gamorah.
The Talmud Lessons on this site are in PDF format, you must have the Free Adobe Reader to read the lessons.
Talmud Lesson One Talmud Lesson Two Talmud Lesson Three Talmud Lesson Four Talmud Lesson Five Talmud Lesson Six Talmud Lesson Seven Talmud Lesson Eight Talmud Lesson Ten