The Talmud: A Biography

by Harry Freedman

Containing nearly two million words in 37 volumes, the Talmud covers topics as diverse as law, faith, medicine, magic, ethics, sex, humour and prayer. It is a highly complex, profoundly logical and frequently impenetrable work with a history like no other. In its 1500 year history the Talmud has been banned, censored and burned, dissected by scholars and rabbis, probed by philosophers, poets, republicans and kings.

In The Talmud – A Biography, Jewish scholar Harry Freedman recounts the engrossing story of an ancient classic, the legal and mystical pillar of Judaism and recounts the story of a book which, in many ways, parallels the history of the Jewish people. From its origins as a record of discussions amongst scholars in towns and villages close to modern-day Baghdad, Freedman traces the spiralling paths of the Jewish diaspora and explores the story of the Talmud’s early origins in Babylon, its role during the Enlightenment and its influence over traditional Judaism. A compelling fusion of law, storytelling and spirituality, the Talmud’s story is a fascinating insight into the history of Judaism and Harry Freedman’s The Talmud – A Biography is a remarkable account of one of the most important cultural, historical and religious works of our time.

Genres: History, Judaism, Jewish, Nonfiction, Religion, Judaica, Reference

256 pages, Hardcover

First published February 27, 2014

About the author

My publishers describe me as Britain's best known writer on Jewish topics. I couldn't possibly comment! You can find out about all my books here on Goodreads. My website is harryfreedmanbooks.com and if you like what I write please subscribe to
my newsletter.

My most recent book is Leonard Cohen: The Mystical Roots of Genius. It explores the religious folklore, spiritual ideas and mystical concepts that run all the way through Leonard Cohen’s music.

Anyone who has listened carefully to Leonard Cohen’s music will know that songs like Hallelujah, Story of Isaac and By the Rivers Dark are based on biblical narratives. But Leonard Cohen’s music contains many more songs based on ancient lore. The Window is packed with kabbalistic insights, Who by Fire is based on both an ancient mystical text and a synagogue prayer, and You Want it Darker is one of the most powerful challenges ever written to the God whose presence Leonard Cohen was always aware of, whose purpose baffled him and whose world he struggled to come to terms with.

Cohen was deeply learned in both Judaism and Christianity; they helped shape his self-identity and the way he made sense of the world. In the book I explore twenty of his songs that are rooted in ancient biblical or kabbalistic sources. I explain the sources he drew upon, discuss their original context and the stories and ideas behind them, and show how Leonard Cohen has harnessed them for his own purposes. The book is not a biography, though it contains biographical information. I hope that it will offer an insight into the soul and imagination of one of the greatest singers and lyricists of our time.

My previous book was Reason to Believe: The Controversial Life of Rabbi Louis Jacobs. Louis Jacobs was Britain’s most gifted Jewish scholar. A Talmudic genius, outstanding teacher and accomplished author, cultured and easy-going, he was widely expected to become Britain’s next Chief Rabbi.

Then controversy struck. The Chief Rabbi refused to appoint him as Principal of Jews’ College, the country’s premier rabbinic college. He further forbade him from returning as rabbi to his former synagogue. All because of a book Jacobs had written some years earlier, challenging from a rational perspective the traditional belief in the origins of the Torah.

The British Jewish community was torn apart. It was a scandal unlike anything they had ever previously endured. The national media loved it. Jacobs became a cause celebre, a beacon of reason, a humble man who wouldn’t be compromised. His congregation resigned en masse and created a new synagogue for him in Abbey Road, the heart of fashionable 1970s London. It became the go-to venue for Jews seeking reasonable answers to questions of faith.

A prolific author of over 50 books and hundreds of articles on every aspect of Judaism, from the basics of religious belief to the complexities of mysticism and law, Louis Jacobs won the heart and affection of the mainstream British Jewish community. When the Jewish Chronicle ran a poll to discover the Greatest British Jew, Jacobs won hands down. He said it made him feel daft.

Reason To Believe tells the dramatic and touching story of Louis Jacobs’s life, and of the human drama lived out by his family, deeply wounded by his rejection.

Reviews

[Harry Freedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote The Talmud: A Biography because I have had so many conversations over the years with people who had heard of the Talmud but didn’t really know what it was.

Traditionally, writers have tried to to bring the Talmud to a wider audience by compiling anthologies or publishing extracts. Some of these are excellent, I’ve mentioned a few on this website.

But extracts and anthologies do not fully explain why the Talmud is such an important, and yet in many ways neglected, part of world culture. It is as ancient as many of the world’s classics, lengthier than possibly any other, complex in its composition, frequently profound in its content and it has had a far more tumultuous story than most. A story which is not contained in the words on its pages. It was this story, or at least a good part of it, which I have tried to tell.

Most people who have had a good Jewish education have studied, or at least dipped into the Talmud. We value it because it is, as I have tried to explain in the book, the foundation of Judaism. We rarely stop to acknowledge it as part of our cultural heritage. Yet, in a world which is far more culturally interconnected than ever before, the Talmud is not just the heritage of the Jews. It is a classic of world literature. And its story deserves to be told.

[Chaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes you on a breathtaking journey from the inception of the Mishnah in 1st century Judea and Galilee to the latest Daf Yomi cycle siyum in 21st century NY. It was an engrossing read and showed how intertwined Jewish history and culture and the Talmud is. This book won't teach you Talmud or get into too much detail about its content but it tells the story about a people and their books. It did a good job conveying how much love it got from the Jews but also how misunderstood it was (and still is).

This is a quote from the tragic Talmud burnings in the Middle Ages:

"Books were the lifeblood of Jewish life; the people may have been as poor as any in the Middle Ages but they had a pride in their learning. Their books were often all they had. Study was an end in itself and the highest aspiration of any Jewish parent was that their son would become a rabbinic scholar, an authority in Talmud. They wouldn't have given up their holy books without a fight, many of those fights would have ended in bloodshed and tragedy."

[C. Varn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freedman's history is a history of the development and traditions around the Talmud--moving from post-Second Temple Pharisaic Judaism through the diaspora in Zoroastrian and Islamic lands and its reception in Europe. Freedman's introduction is readable, journalistic, but its scope is somewhat beyond the couple of hundred pages of a popular introduction. For those with little understanding of the structure of the Talmud--the Mishnah, Midrash, and legalistic discussion or the various schools of Rabbis that led it, I suspect many will be fascinated. The more modern discussion, including Christian Hebraists, attempts to translate it, Henry VIII's attempt to use the text against the Pope, the various pro- and anti-Judaist polemics abounding about the Talmud is also fascinating and even less known. The discussions of the complicated relationship of the between the Jewish Enlightenment and classical Reform movement and the Talmud are fascinating and Reform's love/hate relationship to the Talmud is quite interesting. The primary frustration I have with the text is that each topic could be more fully discussed, but not in a book for a popular readership and at an approachable page count. My secondary frustration is that the content of the Talmud is not discussed that much at all, but again, that is not what the book attests it will do. Freedman's text does exactly what it says it will, so holding those two traits against it seems hardly fair. Highly recommended as an introduction to the history around the Talmud.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, the lively narrative, engaging style, and deep research must be balanced against two "howlers" that somehow eluded editors. I had to check to make sure this wasn't self-published. It's by Bloomsbury, a mainstream press, so how these got past fact-checking, not to mention too many typos, shows the sad state of quality control on otherwise a respectable popularization of a fine topic.

First, it's conflating the end of the Second Temple in 70 CE with Paul's "leadership" of the nascent Christian community, which doesn't explain the discrepancy between this credit and his martyrdom in 64. Second, it claims the "oldest Jewish community in North America" is Charleston, South Carolina in 1695. But Sephardic Jews founded their Newport, Rhode Island congregation in 1658, prior to Touro Synagogue being built in 1653. Which both follow the Shearith Israel New Amsterdam 1654 arrival of their fellow adherents. If the author means that their Southern brethren constitute instead the longest continuing body of worshipers today, that needed clarification. Plus, it's well known that n Curaçao, the Caribbean saw Jews landing in 1651, although that's a bit below North America proper.

However, in fairness, you'll learn about Sabbatei Tzvi, Henry VIIII's attempts to get learned cronies to back his bid to apply Levirate marriage laws to get him out of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, and how the layers of the Talmud may find corresponding levels in both quantum physics (a mouse standing in from days of yore for Schrodinger's cat) and hyperlinks. Such comparisons prove clever.

This compresses a lot of information into compatible form for a non-specialist. As he notes, one need not even believe in the faith, for the subject is meant to sharpen the mind, as its popularity in a mass-market condensation in South Korea illustrates. Freedman emphasizes not the content of its three-dozen-odd tractates (not even naming them) but their reception over two millennia, and maybe one more if you count the Oral Law before its transcription in the rabbinic era after the Temple fell. It makes for a bracing adventure of a set of texts which roused within and beyond the Jewish audience a reaction of fear, curiosity, suspicion, censorship, and apologetics. Originating in a Muslim culture in terms of its composition in early-medieval circumstances, nonetheless Christians angled to either suppress it or study it mainly to discredit their neighbors who resisted the dominant society's power.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from Goodreads.

This isn’t a book with mass market appeal and it’s not for the faint hearted. Turgid, indigestible, impenetrable – all words that came to mind when reviewing this book. However, just because a book is ‘difficult going’ doesn’t in itself detract from the quality of the work. In this case, it doesn’t, as the author has clearly made a spirited attempt to contribute to a better understanding and appreciation of the subject matter.

With only a layman’s prior knowledge, I felt that this book was always going to be difficult and so it proved to be. When the going got tough, I didn’t really get going. However, it did shine a light for me into some dark corners, even if it was only akin to that from an energy saving bulb!

I thought it was well-written and the author shouldn’t be judged on the failings of his readers. I would say that if you have a genuine interest and a desire for greater understanding, then jump in as you will derive some benefit– but if you’re not one of life’s strong swimmers, then you will struggle and end up climbing out, if you haven’t already drowned in treacle.

In reading this book, I have certainly learnt a few things but in all honestly, I was pleased to get to the end and move onto something rather lighter.

[The Jewish Book Council]

Review by Wallace Green for the Jewish Book Council.

[Binya Koatz · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT

[Michael Lewyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the title indicates, this book tries to be a history of the Talmud: how it was created, how it spread through Jewish communities, and the attempts of Christians to destroy it.

However, I think the author has not really solved the mystery of how the Talmud became so popular. He points out that in the 9th c., Babylonian rabbis responded to questions from around the world about the interpretation of the Talmud. He also discusses some of the law codes based on the Talmud.

But that doesn't answer the question: at a time when books were copied by hand and thus quite scarce, how did Europeans learn about the Talmud? Why did they decide that it was authoritative enough to justify the questions and the codes? This question may still be unanswerable.

Freedman does speculate that the Talmud's compilers lived not far from the head of the Muslim caliphate in Baghdad, and that this somehow enabled a faster spread of ideas around the empire. But I am not sure how provable this speculation is, or why people living hundreds of miles away were willing to accept the Talmud as authoritative.

[T Fool · Rating 2 out of 5]

To consider Talmud biographically does imply it to be a living being. The devout may regard it so. But its vitality really isn't explored here.

We're given chronology, geography. We get mention of key figures surrounding it. As an item sacred to a culture, one that helped further develop that culture, we watch it survive and continue to regenerate.

But page after page, we as readers live on the its surface. Talmud is 'handled', but looking at its interior is disclaimed from the start.

This book is informative, but . . . superficial.

[Abigail G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed this book. While a lot of information it read like a story. It was so exciting to have all the names of distinct Jewish Rabbis laid out in a historical timeline! The stories and cultural depictions gave clarity to when each person lived and how they influenced the Talmud. Anyone who wishes to understand this central part of Judaism should read this book. It is so helpful to understand the reasons of Judaism and other religions as well.

[David Margolis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent overview of the life of the Talmud, it's origins, its organization and how it was modified over the years. I have a better appreciation of the thought and genius of the Talmudic scholars, and I can understand why someone would spend their entire life debating the complexities of the subject. I highly recommend it for readers who have little or scant knowledge of the Talmud and Jewish thought.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been wanting for a few years to understand better what the Talmud is, but somehow what I learn doesn't stick in my head. I liked that this book connected the bits of knowledge that I have. I was primarily interested in the era when it was written and got a little bored when the author tried to run through 1500 years and name every significant figure. It's pretty readable as a book, and I hope I remember at least some of it.

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

An approachable introduction to the Talmud - repeats many of the things you might know about the Talmud and some you might not. Gives a broad overview of the history of study and composition in an approachable non-academic writing style.

Worth a read.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reads as an academic treatise on the Talmud, not a biography. Read it if you want an excellent overview of Talmudic interpretation and of the ways this process has formed and been formed by Jewish experiences.

[Caleb Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compulsively readable and a great overview.

[Ada Quasibee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, accessible intro to the history of the Talmud. Highly recommended. I especially appreciated finishing this just as I start Daf Yomi.

[Steve Gross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a book about the contents of the Talmud, but a history of the book itself. Some interesting history with lively writing.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very readable

An interesting historical review for the average reader. Read it having read all of chaim Potoks books, for the context. Recognized many of his references.

[Nicole T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only enjoyable if you're interested in the subject. Focused mostly on a chronological presentation of the text's history and evolution. Lots of incomplete sentences (just like this review!), and even spelling and grammatical errors, which make me question the quality of the scholarship.

[Katthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

a deeply enjoyable work. it became clear that the history of the Talmud is deeply entwined with Jewish history itself.

[Shelly Conley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very brief biography of the Talmud; an integral part of (history in general), especially to 'Jewish' history.

Books leave impressions, some lasting.

[Liz Cohen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely history of the Talmud

[Martin Turner · Rating 2 out of 5]

sorry, not my cup of tea

[Maurizio Codogno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Il Talmud non è un semplice libro. È parte integrante della tradizione ebraica. Ma non è sempre stato così, e la sua storia è davvero incredibile,anche se il sottotitolo di questo libro è un po' esagerato. Freedman ci racconta di come il corpus iniziale delle discussioni tra rabbi e rav si sia man mano coagulato in due versioni diverse (il Talmud di Gerusalemme e quello di Babilonia) che poi si sono più o meno mischiate e sono passate al testo scritto. Ma c'è anche dell'altro: nel libro leggiamo infatti la storia di due millenni dal punto di vista ebraico - e qui si comprende anche la scelta come traduttore di Gadi Luzzatto Voghera che ha ben presente quello di cui si parla. Le persecuzioni contro gli ebrei, e quindi contro il Talmud, magari erano già note: ma molto più interessante è vedere che in alcuni casi il mondo cattolico e luterano si sono avvicinati alla lettura del Talmud per capire meglio il significato della Torah. Anche le pagine su Spinoza hanno un tono diverso da quello che almeno io ho studiato a filosofia, e finalmente ho compreso la differenza tra le tre correnti moderne nel mondo americano. Un solo appunto: ogni tanto l'editing si è perso, con nomi che a distanza di poche righe sono scritti in maniera diversa.

[Eric Silverman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talmudic refers to dense, Incomprehensibly profound. Here, Harry Freedman sheds light.
The book chronicles the revelatory and great, the ignorant bad actors (Medieval) Evil (Nazi and others) paralleling the people’s plight.

Freedman’s a trustworthy scholar guide who explains in plain English, and the book is populated with folks you know and others you will meet does the first time.

[Tracy Riva · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Talmud: A Biography is a book of magnificent scope covering the history of the Talmud – one of Judaism’s most important texts – from its beginnings in the schools of Jerusalem and Babylon through the modern era. It details the first known burning of the Talmud as Crusaders set forth to battle Muslims in Jerusalem, but stopped first to kill Jews along the way and burn their ancient scrolls, through the many burnings that have taken place since. It also details how Talmud study has become an end in itself. For many the study of the Talmud becomes a life long pursuit. The belief being that Talmud study is even more important than good deeds for its study is believed to lead to good deeds.

The history of the Talmud, and its endurance through multiple persecutions is fascinating. Its history and that of the Jewish nation, are so intricately intertwined that they mirror one another.

I highly recommend this book. It is well presented, interesting and presented in a manner anyone can understand. A solid, stimulating read.

[Reading Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know a few bits and pieces about the Talmud, but not much. I was looking forward to learning about its formation and history, sure, but I assumed that its content would also be on display here, at least a little bit.

It was the subtitle that drew me in. A book about the Talmud, written as a biography -- that sounds great. Unfortunately, this is instead written as The Talmud: A History. It's like a biography that tells you all about what happened to the person over the course of his/her life, but never tells you even a little bit of what the person was like.

A final thought (and the reason for two stars instead of three): Was Bloomsbury's editorial staff on vacation when this got published? Large chunks of the book are filled with sentence fragments and the kind of mistakes that a spell-checker doesn't notice but an editor should. Other sections of the book are more or less free of these errors, so there was clearly some editing done -- just not nearly enough.

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm pretty certain that I'm not the target audience for this work, despite Freedman writing in the Introduction that a knowledge of the Talmud isn't necessary, I think it would be of more interest to people with a prior knowledge. That being said, I really enjoyed reading this. I'm not going to lie and say that it wasn't hard going; it took so much of my concentration to make sure that I was actually taking the information in - I felt like I was doing my dissertation all over again. I really feel that it was worth it though. I read around a chapter a day, sometimes I gave it a miss for a few days, but it was something that seemed to stick with me. The way that Freedman writes is almost conversational, so although the information you're getting is heavy the way in which it reaches you is quite relaxed. This really awoke the history student inside me, and I will defintely be looking into reading more about early Europe and on Moses Mandelssohn and Shabbetai Tzvi.

[Joe Q. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a survey of Jewish history from the perspective of the Talmud, illustrating its rise to prominence and both the devotion and scorn it has received.

As someone who regularly learns Talmud, I appreciated learning more of the back-story of its dissemination and adoption into the Jewish world. At the same time, I wonder how much someone who has never opened a volume of Talmud could actually appreciate a book like this -- while describing the Talmud's history very well, it doesn't actually provide much in the way of a sample text (its quotes consist only of sentences and sentence fragments) that would give the neophyte reader any perspective on the Talmud's language and methods.

Freedman's writing is clear but somewhat choppy. The book also has an unfortunate number of spelling mistakes and typos. It's a quick read, though, and worth a look for anyone interested in Jewish history who already has some familiarity with the Talmud.

[John Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from Goodreads after entering a giveaway.

I went into the reading of this book with minimal knowledge of the Jewish faith. And with zero knowledge of the Talmud. Even though at the start of the book it says you don't require knowledge of the Talmud to be able to read this book. I do think that previous knowledge of the Talmud and what it has been through would make the read more interesting, as you can better know what the book contains rather than being told.

But nonetheless, I still enjoyed reading and found the content of the book fascinating. My previous (and basic knowledge of the Jewish faith, and the Talmud) has been vastly expanded. The book gives an in-depth look at the content and appearance of the Talmudic pages, with a detailed history about the book its self.