Who were the individuals who canonized the old testament? Who decided these are the books of the Tanah, these and no others? When did “they” decide this. As I understand it the final stamp of approval on the Mishnah was due to the authority of Yehuda haNasi some where around 150-200. That’s what I want to know about the Tanah.
The “canonization” was done by the Men of the Great Aseembly, aka Anshei Knesset Hagedolah. The last book to be added to the Tanach is Esther, which historially falls just before the building of the second Temple. See Babylonion Talmud Megilla 7a for this discussion.
The decision was made by these men, some of which were prophets (Chagai, Zecharya and Malachi). I do not know for certain why they sealed it with these books, although this was done by Divine Inspiration. Also, the Talmud states that only prophecy relevant to all generations was recorded, all other prophecy was not written. (At the time of the first Temple, there were more than 1.2 million prophets amongst the Jewish people).
All the best.
Dear Rabbi:
Thank you so much for taking the time to anser my question. I really
appreciate it. The matter came up in a discussion with a group of friends
and I shall circulate your reply to them. Thanks again.