Greco-Roman Period Even the Targumim, the Aramaic translations of the Bible, were regarded as part of the oral law. Hence, it was forbidden to teach them .from a written text. This passage does show, however, that written Targum texts were available in the Land of Israel in the Byzantine period. Rabbi Haggai said to Rabbi Ishmael, “When Rabbi Isaac entered the synagogue, he saw one Bible teacher reading the Targum from a book. He said to him, ‘It is forbidden to you. Words that were said (given) orally, [should be transmitted] orally, and words that were said (given) in writing [should be transmitted] in writing.’’’ 52. Trans. L. H. Schiffman.