In concept, "semikhah" represents a "bond" ("") dating back to the time of Moses (Moshe) and Joshua (Yehoshua). It is held that "Hashem" taught the Torah to Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses) on Mount Sinai in 1312 BCE and that since that time, the knowledge of Torah has been passed from generation to generation by the conferment of "semikhah", rabbinic ordination, or the unbroken transmission of authority dating back to that time. This unbroken chain of Torah teaching is thus believed by many to have continued for over 3,300 years and continues to this day.