Final answer:
The Talmud is a foundational text of Rabbinic Judaism, composed of the Mishnah and the Gemara, which includes legal, ethical, and historical teachings. It was written by generations of rabbis known as the Tannaim and Amoraim.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Talmud is a central text of Rabbinic Judaism, consisting of a comprehensive collection of laws, ethics, philosophy, customs, and history. It serves as a guide for the religious, social, and legal history of the Jewish people. Written over several centuries, the Talmud comprises two components: the Mishnah, a law code that dates back to around 200 CE, and the Gemara, which includes extensive rabbinical discussions on the Mishnah and was completed by the 5th century CE. The Talmud was authored by numerous rabbis known as the Tannaim (for the Mishnah) and the Amoraim (for the Gemara). The work of these rabbis spans multiple generations and collectively shaped the oral interpretations that form the Talmud.