The Talmud was written in two main versions: the Jerusalem Talmud and the Babylonian Talmud. The Jerusalem Talmud was compiled between the late 4th century and the first half of the 5th century CE. The Babylonian Talmud was compiled later, traditionally attributed to Rav Ashi and Ravina II, around the end of the 5th century CE (around 500 CE), with further editorial activity continuing into the 6th century CE. The Babylonian Talmud is the more authoritative and commonly referenced version today. In summary:
- Jerusalem Talmud: compiled late 4th to early 5th century CE.
- Babylonian Talmud: compiled around late 5th to 6th century CE, with final redactions likely by the mid-6th century CE.
This means the Talmud was written over several centuries, roughly between the 3rd and 6th centuries CE, with the Babylonian Talmud considered complete by about the mid-6th century CE.
