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, comprehensive list of Tannaim. Instead, he mentions numerous Tannaim throughout his commentary, as he explains the Mishnah's various passages and their differing interpretations. Therefore, creating a definitive "list" is impossible without extensive cross-referencing of his entire commentary. However, we can highlight some of the most frequently mentioned Tannaim and discuss their significance according to the Rambam's explanations:
Prominent Tannaim Frequently Discussed by the Rambam:
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Rabbi Yehoshua: Often cited for his halakhic opinions, particularly regarding disagreements with Rabbi Eliezer. The Rambam highlights his role in establishing legal precedent and his contributions to the development of Jewish law.
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Rabbi Eliezer: Another pivotal figure, often presented in contrast to Rabbi Yehoshua. The Rambam carefully analyzes their disputes, emphasizing the importance of understanding the reasoning behind their differing views. He highlights Rabbi Eliezer's immense knowledge and his innovative interpretations.
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Rabbi Akiva: The Rambam showcases Rabbi Akiva's profound impact on Halakha and his unique approach to interpreting the Torah. His contributions to the development of Aggadah (narrative and homiletic material) are also noted.
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Rabbi Meir: The Rambam often highlights Rabbi Meir's legal opinions, showing their influence on later generations of Rabbis. He often explains the nuances of Rabbi Meir's interpretations.
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Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai: Known for his mystical and esoteric teachings, Rabbi Shimon's views are often noted, particularly where they relate to Halakha. The Rambam carefully distinguishes his approach from the more conventional views of his contemporaries.
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Rabbi Yose: The Rambam regularly incorporates Rabbi Yose's opinions and perspectives, often comparing them to those of other leading figures of the time. This highlights the diversity of thought within the Tannaitic period.
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Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi (Rabbi): The compiler of the Mishnah, Rabbi's decisions often hold significant weight in the Rambam's commentary. His rulings are frequently cited as authoritative.
Challenges in Creating a Complete List:
It's crucial to understand that extracting a complete list from the Rambam's Peirush Mishnah is a significant scholarly undertaking. This is due to:
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The nature of the commentary: The Rambam doesn't aim to create a biographical dictionary of Tannaim. His focus is on explaining the Mishnah, and he mentions Tannaim only as relevant to his explanations.
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Implicit mentions: Many Tannaim might be referenced indirectly or implicitly through their opinions, without explicitly naming them.
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Extensive work required: A complete list would necessitate a meticulous review of the entire Peirush Mishnah, a significant task.
Where to find more information:
To find a more exhaustive list, one would need to consult scholarly works that specifically analyze the Rambam's references to Tannaim in his Peirush Mishnah. These works often create indexes or concordances that list all the Tannaim mentioned along with the relevant passages in the commentary.
Therefore, while the above list highlights some of the most prominent Tannaim discussed by the Rambam, it's by no means exhaustive. Further research in scholarly literature specializing in the Rambam and the Tannaitic period is highly recommended.
