Do you believe the Talmud to be an inspired piece of literature at the same level as Torah or the Tanach?
The Torah is not merely an inspired piece of literature. The Torah is the Revelation of G-d. The TaNaCH (An acronym for the three sections of the Hebrew Bible [Torah (The Five Books of Moses), Navi’im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings)] is not an “inspired” piece of literature as is common poetry, music, etc. The Tanach details the history of Israel, and threads together the fact that G-d, Torah and Israel are One. The Tanach is truly “His-story.” So to answer the question regarding the Talmud – it is not an inspired piece of literature. Being an inspired piece of literature is neither the nature nor the purpose of the Talmud. The Road Map to Jewish Learning will give you more detailed information on this subject.
