Seforimchatter SmallTalk: Chachmei HaMishnah (with Rabbi Dovid Jaffee)
Feb 11, 2026
Rabbi Dovid Jaffee, rabbi, author, and educator behind Chachmei HaMishnah, walks through his masorah-based sefer on the Tannaim. He explains why he wrote it, how he uses primary sources and cautious historical context, and his chapter approach to personalities like Shemaya and Avtalyon. He also covers style choices, audience, and ongoing related projects.
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Teach The People Behind The Text
- Teach students the personalities behind the Gemara, not just the text and Rashi.
- Doing so deepens appreciation and connection to what they learn.
Shiur Blossomed Into A Sefer
- Rabbi Dovid Jaffee turned a popular shiur on the Tannaim into a full sefer after repeated requests.
- He expanded the material over years as students asked questions and he found new sources.
Weigh Historical Sources Against Chazal
- Historical sources like Josephus are useful but conjectural and must be weighed against Chazal.
- The sefer privileges Chazal as the primary mesorah while using historians to enhance context.
