The Talmud A Selection [Paperback]

The most important text in Judaism after the Old Testament—available for the first time in Penguin Classics

One of the most significant religious texts in the world, The Talmud is a compilation of the teachings of major Jewish scholars from the classic period of rabbinic Judaism. In a range of styles, including commentary, parables, proverbs, and anecdotes, it provides guidance on all aspects of everyday life. This selection of its most illuminating passages makes accessible to modern readers the centuries of Jewish thought contained within. Norman Solomon's lucid translation from the Bavli (Babylonian) is accompanied by an introduction on The Talmud's arrangement, social and historical background, reception, and authors.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.The TalmudList of Illustrations

Preface

Introduction

How to Read the Talmud
Structure—The Framework of the Talmud
The Reception of the Mishna—Bavli and Yerushalmi
How the Talmud Started
Babylonia of the Talmud—Social and Religious Background
The Men Who Made Mishna and Talmud
Style of the Talmud
Titles and Names
Theology
The Talmud and Christianity
Transmission of the Text

A Note On This Translation
Bible Translation
'Israel', 'Jew', 'Palestine'
Page Layout
References

Further Reading

THE TALMUD: SELECTIONS

First Order Zeraim (Seeds)
Introduction
First Tractatel³V