Meshaneh

Meshaneh (Hebrew: משנה) refers to a person who reviews or memorizes Jewish law, particularly the Mishnah. More broadly, it can describe someone who is highly knowledgeable in Jewish legal texts. The term derives from the Hebrew verb lishnot, meaning "to repeat" or "to review." Historically, the role of a Meshaneh was critical in oral transmission of Jewish law before it was committed to written form. While not as prevalent today due to the widespread availability of printed and digital texts, the concept still carries weight within Orthodox Jewish circles as a marker of significant scholarship. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with shoneh halachot (שונה הלכות), which literally translates to "one who repeats laws." The practice of regular review and memorization is considered a virtue within traditional Jewish learning, and demonstrating proficiency would earn the designation of being a Meshaneh.