Product Description

The Talmud of Babylonia (a.k.a., the Bavli, or Babylonian Talmud), is a sustained commentary on the written and oral law of Israel. Compiled between 500–600 C.E., it offers a magnificent record of how Jewish scholars preserved a humane and enduring civilization. Representing the primary document of rabbinic Judaism, it throws considerable light on the New Testament as well.

This monumental English translation was completed nearly a decade ago— but was extraordinarily expensive and difficult to find. Now all 37 Talmudic tractates are available in an affordable 22-volume reprint. Featuring commentary and new introductions by Jacob Neusner, it also includes the full content on CD-ROM.

Features • Presented in an analytical format that makes logical units easier to follow • Mishnah passages are set in bold type • Passages translated from Aramaic are set in italics • 22 attractive hardcover volumes • Includes the full set on CD-ROM for effortless searching and research

About the Talmud The Hebrew Scriptures contain many hundreds of laws both religious and civil. They concern the Temple (in Exodus), the priesthood (in Leviticus), the Temple offerings and other rites (in Numbers), and the social order of Israel (in Deuteronomy). These may rightly be called the written law (Torah). The oral law is the extension of these precepts to cover all of life and its contingencies. The oral law (or Mishnah) was written down by rabbinic sages about 200 C.E. With the Talmud, Jewish sages systematized the laws in Scripture together with those of the oral tradition. While the Mishnah records rules governing the conduct of the holy life of Israel, the Talmud concerns itself with the details of the Mishnah. Israel’s oral law found its definitive expression in the Talmud.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1476198 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-02
• Original language: Hebrew
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: CD-ROM
• 16530 pages

About the Author
Jacob Neusner is Research Professor of Religion and Theology and Senior Fellow of the Institute of Advanced Theology at Bard College. Editor of the three-volume Encyclopaedia of Judaism, he has published more than nine hundred books and innumerable articles.

Customer Reviews

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The Talmud is the fundamental source for Jewish oral law, or explanation and development of the written law that appears in the first five books of the Bible. The Talmud reads like the Biblical version of the Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 Reported by James Madison. It is not an easy read. But here one finds the most authoritative exposition of Judaism and a classic of Western thought.

This edition collects the Talmud in the most affordable modern English translation. It employs Neusner's characteristic outline style. And much attention is given to form and structure. Although the printed volumes do not contain indices, the set includes a valuable searchable compact disc. This edition presents a splendid option for a general reader hoping to attack the original text.

Older editions include Rodkinson's NEW EDITION OF THE BABYLONIAN TALMUD ORIGINAL TEXT, EDITED, CORRECTED, FORMULATED AND TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH (1903) and Epstein's Babylonian Talmud (Soncino Talmud). 18 Volumes. (1953). A wonderful searchable electronic version of the Esptein Soncino Talmud is available, along with Midrash Rabbah (10 Vol. Set) and Zohar (5 Volume set), in Davka's Soncino Classics Collection.

A more user-friendly version of the Talmud is found in Steinsaltz's version, which is not yet complete. Consider this edition for a gentler introduction to the Talmud. The first volume of the set is The Talmud, The Steinsaltz Edition, Volume 1: Bava Metzia Part 1 (Talmud the Steinsaltz Edition). And a very useful reference volume is Talmud Reference Guide (Talmud the Steinsaltz Edition). Consider getting this reference guide no matter which Talmud you settle on.

But if you want to spend significant time with the Talmud and truly dig deeply into this fundamental source, among English translations, there is no substitute for the ArtScroll edition, complete at 73 volumes for about $2000. The commentary is deeper, the original Hebrew text is also printed opposite the English translation, and each volume is fully indexed. Consider purchasing the first volume, Schottenstein Daf Yomi Edition of the Talmud : English Berachos Volume 1 (folios 2a-30b).

No matter which way to enter the waters of the Talmud, do take the swim. For its waters are deep and wide. And they will take you places that you can reach through no other journey.