On an important digital layout of Maimonides’ Lists of Tannaim in his Introduction to his Commentary to the Mishnah
Part of a series on digital layouts of rabbinic texts. See previous pieces in the series here, section “Digital Layout of the Talmud and other Rabbinic Texts”. Previous entry: “On an important digital layout of Maimonides’ Sefer HaMitzvot”
Yehuda Eisenberg’s digital layout of Maimonides’ Introduction his Commentary to the Mishnah is quite helpful. It shows the tight structure created by Maimonides. (The one major flaw is that it is unfortunately justified left to right.)
The part about names takes up around 1/3 of the Maimonides' introduction. In Sefaria, it is sections #19 until the end (#28). R’ Shilat’s Hebrew translation is available on Kotar as well, for subscribers.
Screenshot of the beginning:
My translation. I translated somewhat loosely, so that it’s in a more contemporary style. The words in brackets are mine. From here, Maimonides:
I felt it appropriate to present ten chapters before I begin my commentary on the Mishnah.
They do not [necessarily] hold great utility regarding the [specific] matter which we are engaged in [i.e., commentary on the Mishnah], but it will be beneficial for anyone who wishes to fully understand the Mishnah [as a whole].
[Outline, by chapter:]
The number of Sages mentioned in the Mishnah, who had laws cited from them.
The number of Sages mentioned in the Mishnah because of a single event, or a moral was learned from something they said, or an interpretation they made.
What is known about the genealogy of the Mishnah Sages.
[A breakdown] of Sages per generation [literally, ‘who were in one generation’], and [a breakdown] of the generations where Sages overlapped.
Student-teacher relationships [literally, ‘Clarifying who is a student and who is a teacher among them’]
Unclear names [i.e., where only the first name is mentioned, clarifying the exact person. Literally, ‘On unclear names, and adding to knowledge about them’].
Commemorating their virtues, as the author [of the Mishnah] did.
Their lineage to lands, occupations, people, and families.
People who were involved in many disputes with each other.
The discrepancy in their traditions, whether in majority or minority.