The Mishnah

by Jacob Neusner

The eminent Judaica scholar Jacob Neusner provides here the first form-analytical translation of the Mishnah. This path-breaking edition provides as close to a literal translation as possible, following the syntax of Mishnaic Hebrew in its highly formalized and syntactically patterned language. Demonstrating that the Mishnah is a work of careful and formal poetry and prose, Neusner not only analyzes the repeated construction but also divides the thoughts on the printed page so that the patterned language and the poetry comprised in those patterns emerge visually.

“With meticulous methodology and with rare stylistic beauty of expression, Neusner. . . has produced an incomparable translation of the Mishnah, both new and innovative, which reflects the genius of the original Hebrew idiom. Neusner penetrates the Tannaitic mind, capturing its spirit, its subtle nuances, and its poetic cadences. . . A most impressive volume which transcends all previous versions of the Mishnah.”— Choice

“The overall effect is a linguistic purity and simplicity which strives to capture not only the substance, but the spirit and style of the Mishnah’s universe. . . . An artful and impressive addition. . . . It deserves not only admiration but serious attention as well.”—Charles Raffel, Judaica Book News

“The work is significant because for the first time it makes available to student and scholar alike a rendition of the Mishnah which attempts to convey not only the substance of that document, but the highly patterned and formalized language which Neusner believes is the key to comprehending its contents.”—Daniel H. Gordis, Hebrew Studies

Genres: Judaism, Religion, Theology, Jewish, Reference, Nonfiction, Christian

1207 pages, Paperback

First published September 10, 1988

About the author

Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Neusner was educated at Harvard University, the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (where he received rabbinic ordination), the University of Oxford, and Columbia University.

Neusner is often celebrated as one of the most published authors in history (he has written or edited more than 950 books.)Since 1994, he taught at Bard College. He also taught at Columbia University, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Brandeis University, Dartmouth College, Brown University, and the University of South Florida.

Neusner was a member of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, and a life member of Clare Hall, Cambridge University. He is the only scholar to have served on both the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts. He also received scores of academic awards, honorific and otherwise.

Reviews

[Steve Kimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant guide to those of us who speak English but not Hebrew, and who are not mired in Rabbinic Judaism. Yes, the book is daunting, still. But it is possible now to explore the thinking of the early Rabbis, and their early interpreters. A work of skill and genius.

[Fred Kohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The impetus for my reading this book was my encounter with Judaism in Late Antiquity also edited by Jacob Neusner. I realized when reading this collection of essays that I really didn’t have the necessary background in the primary material to get as much out of this collection that I could. So I decided to embark on the daunting task of reading the Mishnah. I figured that if I dedicated myself to reading 20 pages a day I would get through it eventually. Parts I found fascinating, for example the first section on agriculture. OTOH the last section on purity I had trouble getting through because the purpose of these regulations seemed unclear. Throughout the book I had to stop frequently to look up unfamiliar terms. What, for example, is meant by the fact that a woman is allowed to wear a "golden city" on the Sabbath? Well, now I know. A golden city is a golden tiara on which is inscribed the name of Jerusalem.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

i am surprised to find myself actually kind of into nuanced religious mandates. pe’ah was pretty cool, for instance. i’ve never thought that religion was necessary for morality, but i like to imagine a talmudic nation (no i don’t think one properly exists). it reminds me how sometimes religious laws can be kind of just and unifying, like the muslim zakat. it’s not exactly mandatory but many muslims do it, and in terms of international charity, it makes the u.s. look like crap. i also find the lull of these specific ordaninaces to be very enjoyable and am surprised by how much they activate my imagination. pretty cool.

of course, a lot of the laws are rather erasable. ladies, no need to go through elaborate rituals after menstruation. it’s really not that big of a deal.

[Josh Fisher]

“Perhaps the essential message of Judaism is that in doing the finite, we may perceive the infinite. It is incumbent on us to obtain the perception of the impossible in the possible. The perception of life eternal in everyday deeds.” -Abraham Joshua Heschel

[Parker Samelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very dense yet insightful as a key text of Judaism.