The Mishnah, an important Jewish text, is shrouded in mystery regarding its origins and purpose.

In this discussion on the state of Jewish Studies, the origins of the field are explored, noting that it emerged in the 19th century as scholars began analyzing Jewish texts using academic methods, rather than relying on traditional rabbinic, literary, or folk approaches.

In the early 19th century, German scholars developed Wissenschaft des Judentums, an academic approach to studying Jewish texts.