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Introduction to the Talmud
Excerpt from Introduction to the Talmud
The Talmud is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable literary productions of antiquity. In its twelve folio volumes it embodies the mental labors of the ancient Jewish teachers during a period of about eight hundred years. The attention of these teachers was directed particularly to expounding and developing the religious, moral and civil law of the Bible. The pages of this great work are, besides, replete with wise observations, ethical maxims, beautiful legends and parables, and exegetical explanations. We also find in it valuable historical and ethnographical material, as well as occasional references to the various branches of ancient knowledge and science.
The Talmud is also remarkable for the powerful influence it exerted upon the thought and life of the Jews during the Middle Ages, yes, even down to quite recent times. Its authority was second only to that of the Bible. Although modern Jews have emancipated themselves more or less from its authority, the Talmud still remains a venerable literary monument of a great and important epoch in the development of Judaism. At the same time, it is a valuable source of religious and ethical doctrines as well as of scientific investigation.
In our day, quite a general interest in this literary monument of antiquity is being awakened.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
The Talmud is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable literary productions of antiquity. In its twelve folio volumes it embodies the mental labors of the ancient Jewish teachers during a period of about eight hundred years. The attention of these teachers was directed particularly to expounding and developing the religious, moral and civil law of the Bible. The pages of this great work are, besides, replete with wise observations, ethical maxims, beautiful legends and parables, and exegetical explanations. We also find in it valuable historical and ethnographical material, as well as occasional references to the various branches of ancient knowledge and science.
The Talmud is also remarkable for the powerful influence it exerted upon the thought and life of the Jews during the Middle Ages, yes, even down to quite recent times. Its authority was second only to that of the Bible. Although modern Jews have emancipated themselves more or less from its authority, the Talmud still remains a venerable literary monument of a great and important epoch in the development of Judaism. At the same time, it is a valuable source of religious and ethical doctrines as well as of scientific investigation.
In our day, quite a general interest in this literary monument of antiquity is being awakened.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
310 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1969
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May 13, 2025
it was too technical and in-depth of a treatment of the subject matter for a casual student such as myself.
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