A List of Tannaim from the Rambam's Peirush Mishnah
Rabbi Moses Maimonides (Rambam), in his Peirush Mishnah (Commentary on the Mishnah), doesn't provide a single, exhaustive list of Tannaim. Instead, he mentions numerous Tannaim throughout his commentary, referencing their opinions and teachings as they relate to specific Mishnah passages. Therefore, creating a comprehensive list directly from the Peirush Mishnah requires meticulous cross-referencing of the entire work. This task is beyond the scope of a single response, but I can provide you with a methodology and a selection of prominent Tannaim frequently cited by the Rambam.
Methodology for Creating a Comprehensive List:
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Consult Multiple Editions: Different editions of the Peirush Mishnah might have variations in indexing or annotations. Using multiple editions increases the chances of capturing all mentioned Tannaim.
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Systematic Review: A systematic review of each tractate of the Mishnah within the Peirush Mishnah is necessary. Look for instances where the Rambam attributes an opinion, statement, or halakha to a specific Tanna.
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Index Usage: Most editions of the Peirush Mishnah include indices or concordances. These can be used to find all instances where a particular Tanna's name is mentioned.
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Careful Reading and Interpretation: The Rambam often discusses differing opinions without explicitly naming the Tanna. Careful reading and cross-referencing are essential to accurately attribute opinions to their sources.
Prominent Tannaim Frequently Mentioned by the Rambam in Peirush Mishnah:
While a complete list is impractical here, some of the most frequently cited Tannaim in the Rambam's Peirush Mishnah include:
- Rabbi Yehoshua: A prominent student of Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai, known for his wisdom and halakhic rulings.
- Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus: Known for his strong adherence to tradition and often disagreeing with other Tannaim.
- Rabbi Akiva: A leading figure in the development of Jewish law, known for his profound interpretations of the Torah.
- Rabbi Meir: A prominent student of Rabbi Akiva, known for his detailed and systematic approach to halakha.
- Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai: A prominent mystic and halakhist, author of the Zohar (though this is a later work). The Rambam might discuss his opinions, even if he wouldn't necessarily attribute them to the Zohar directly.
- Rabbi Yose: A student of Rabbi Akiva, known for his practical and pragmatic approach to halakha.
- Rabbi Yehudah haNasi (Rabbi Judah the Prince): The compiler of the Mishnah, his views are central in many discussions.
Further Research:
To create your own comprehensive list, I highly recommend consulting scholarly works on the Peirush Mishnah, utilizing digital editions with advanced search capabilities, and engaging with the relevant commentaries and analyses of the Rambam's work. Academic databases and Jewish studies libraries will be invaluable resources.
Remember that the Rambam's commentary is not just a simple listing of Tannaim; it's a complex analysis of their opinions within the context of the Mishnah and the development of Jewish law. Understanding this context enriches the learning experience.
