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'''Aramaic'''(ܐܪܡܝܐ) was the colloquial [[language]] of [[Jesus]], which He continued to use at least informally through the [[Crucifixion]]. It's modern form is most commonly known as "Syriac".<ref name="a">The New American Desk Encyclopedia, Penguin Group, 1989</ref> It is a Semitic language and was spoken by the [[Aramaeans]] and spread across the [[Mesopotamia]] and became the language of the [[Persian Empire]].<ref name="a"/>  It was most closely related to [[Hebrew]] and [[Arabic]]. The post-biblical Rabbinic commentary on the Bible and application of the Biblical laws (as well as perpetuating of the Biblical lore) to contemporary Jewish life, is known as the [[Talmud]]. The first part of the Talmud is primarily in Mishnaic (2nd cent. B.C. to 2nd cent. A.D.) Hebrew and secondarily in Aramaic. The second part of the Talmud, known as the Gemara, is primarily in Aramaic and secondarily in Hebrew. The [[Babylon]]ian recension of the Talmud - representing Babylonian exilic [[Judaism]] - is authoritative for [[Jew]]s today rather than the [[Jerusalem]] Talmud - representing "Land of [[Israel]]"  Hebrew-speaking Judaism from there.   

'''Aramaic'''(ܐܪܡܝܐ) was the colloquial [[language]] of [[Jesus]], which He continued to use at least informally through the [[Crucifixion]]. Its modern form is most commonly known as "Syriac".<ref name="a">The New American Desk Encyclopedia, Penguin Group, 1989</ref> It is a Semitic language and was spoken by the [[Aramaeans]] and spread across the [[Mesopotamia]] and became the language of the [[Persian Empire]].<ref name="a"/>  It was most closely related to [[Hebrew]] and [[Arabic]]. The post-biblical Rabbinic commentary on the Bible and application of the Biblical laws (as well as perpetuating of the Biblical lore) to contemporary Jewish life, is known as the [[Talmud]]. The first part of the Talmud is primarily in Mishnaic (2nd cent. B.C. to 2nd cent. A.D.) Hebrew and secondarily in Aramaic. The second part of the Talmud, known as the Gemara, is primarily in Aramaic and secondarily in Hebrew. The [[Babylon]]ian recension of the Talmud - representing Babylonian exilic [[Judaism]] - is authoritative for [[Jew]]s today rather than the [[Jerusalem]] Talmud - representing "Land of [[Israel]]"  Hebrew-speaking Judaism from there.   

The [[Gospel of Mark]] contains multiple phrases in Aramaic, while other parts of the [[New Testament]] occasionally use the colloquial language.<ref name="a"/>

The [[Gospel of Mark]] contains multiple phrases in Aramaic, while other parts of the [[New Testament]] occasionally use the colloquial language.<ref name="a"/>

It is spoken today in parts of [[Lebanon]], northern [[Iraq]], [[Syria]] in addition to smaller communities in [[Turkey]] and [[Iran]].<ref>http://www.omniglot.com/writing/syriac.htm</ref>

It is spoken today in parts of [[Lebanon]], northern [[Iraq]], [[Syria]] in addition to smaller communities in [[Turkey]] and [[Iran]].<ref>http://www.omniglot.com/writing/syriac.htm</ref>

==The "Aramaic" Church==

==The "Aramaic" Church==

[[File:Syriac_characters.gif|thumb|Syriac alphabet, the modern form of Aramaic]]

[[File:Syriac_characters.gif|thumb|Syriac alphabet, the modern form of Aramaic]]