Talmud

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The two most important works of post-biblical Jewish literature. The Babylonian (Bavli) Talmud, compiled around AD 600, and the Jerusalem (Yerushalmi) Talmud, compiled around AD 500, provide a compilation of ancient Jewish law and tradition. The Babylonian Talmud is the more authoritative version for later Judaism; both Talmuds are written in a mix of Hebrew and Aramaic. They contain the rabbinical commentary (the Gemara) on the Mishnah (early rabbinical commentaries committed to writing in about AD 200). The Talmud can be generally divided into Halachah (or Halakhah), consisting of legal and ritual matters, and Haggadah (or Aggadah), concerned with ethical, theological, and folklorist matters.

Red and white are traditional colours, dating back to the flag of 19th-century Samoan king, Malietoa Laupepa. The Southern Cross constellation links Samoa to other countries in the southern hemisphere. Effective date: 4 July 1997. >>