Tannaim

Tannaim (Amoraic Hebrew: תנאים [tannɔʔim] 'repeaters, teachers', singular tanna תנא [tanˈnɔː], borrowed from Aramaic) were the rabbinic sages whose views are recorded in the Mishnah, from approximately 10–220 CE. The period of the Tannaim, also referred to as the Mishnaic period, lasted about 210 years. It came after the period of the Zugot ("Pairs") and was immediately followed by the period of the Amoraim ("Interpreters"). The root tannā (תנא) is the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew root shānā (שנה), which also is the Semitic root found in the word Mishnah. Shana means 'to repeat [what one was taught]' and is used to mean 'to learn'. The Mishnaic period is commonly divided into five periods, corresponding to the generations. There are approximately 120 known Tannaim. The Tannaim lived in several areas of Roman-ruled southern Levant. The spiritual center of Judaism at that time was Jerusalem, but after the destruction of the city and the Second Temple, Yohanan ben Zakkai and his students founded a new Council of Jamnia. Other places of learning were founded by his students in Lod and in Bnei Brak. Some Tannaim worked as laborers (e.g., charcoal burners, cobblers) in addition to their positions as teachers and legislators. They were also leaders of the people and negotiators with the Roman Empire.