Amoraim [Hebrew: Amora “speaker”, “commentator”], scholars active in Talmudic universities from ca. 220 to 500 in Palestine (the main centres – cities: Tzippori, Lod, Caesarea and Tiberias) and in Babylonia (the main centres – cities: Sura, Nehardeah, Pumbeditha).
The Amoraim dealt with the interpretation of the Mishnah (the Jewish legal and ritual code), studying and commenting on the Halakha (legal precepts and rules of worship) and the Haggadah (historical stories, legends and instructions). The Amoraim continued the works of the Tannaim. Their comments contributed to the collection called the Gemara, comprising the supplement and the final part of the Mishnah. Eventually, it subsequent connection to the Mishnah created the Talmud. The work of the Palestinian Amoraim was the Jerusalem Talmud (also known as the Palestinian Talmud), while the result of their works n Babylonia was the Babylonian Talmud.
The content of this entry has been prepared on the basis of the source materials of the Polish Scientific Publishers PWN.