[Avodah] Apparently conflicting Stam

[David Riceman]

[Corrected as per a follow-up email. -micha]

RMLFI:
> I have done some quick research through the Hakdamas Hamishna Larambam,
> Klallei Hamishna, and some other sources, but nevertheless, if someone
> can direct me to sources and research on as much detail as possible
> as to *what transpired in the process of the Mishna being written* it
> would be much appreciated.

If you really mean that read through YL Epstein's "Hakdamah L'Nusach
HaMishnah". Albeck wrote a (shorter) "Hakdamah L'Mishnah" and, IIRC,
[Epstein also] wrote a "Hakdamah L'Sifrut HaTanaim".

There's a mahlokes rishonim whether the mishna is a sefer peak or
an encyclopedia of sources. This is related to the machlokes amoraim
about whether halacha k'stam mishna. But it is possible for mishnayot
with contradictory anonymous conclusions to have been edited by the
same person.

David Riceman