The Babylonian Talmud - 10 Book Edition
The Babylonian Talmud - 10 Book edition
Translated by Michael L. Rodkinson [1918]
The Talmud (Hebrew: תַּלְמוּד talmūd "instruction, learning", from a root lmd "teach, study") is a central text of mainstream Judaism, in the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, customs and history.
The Talmud has two components: the Mishnah (c. 200 CE), the first written compendium of Judaisms Oral Law; and the Gemara (c. 500 CE), a discussion of the Mishnah and related Tannaitic writings that often ventures onto other subjects and expounds broadly on the Tanakh.
The terms Talmud and Gemara are often used interchangeably. The Gemara is the basis for all codes of rabbinic law and is much quoted in other rabbinic literature. The whole Talmud is also traditionally referred to as Shas (ש"ס), a Hebrew abbreviation of shisha sedarim, the "six orders" of the Mishnah. (Source : Wikipedia)
The Talmud is a vast collection of Jewish laws and traditions. Despite the dry subject matter the Talmud makes interesting reading because it is infused with vigorous intellectual debate, humor and deep wisdom. As the saying goes, you dont have to be Jewish to appreciate this text. If you put in the hard work required to read the Talmud, your mind will get a world-class workout. The process of studying the Talmud has been compared with the practice of Zen Buddhist Koan meditation, and for good reason.
Rodkinsons ten-book edition, the only extensive one currently in the public domain, contains complete translations of the Festivals and Jurisprudence sections of the Talmud.
Book 1: Tract Sabbath
Book 2: Tracts Erubin, Shekalim, Rosh Hashana
Book 3: Tracts Pesachim, Yomah and Hagiga
Book 4: Tracts Betzh, Succah, Moed Katan, Taanith, Megilla and Ebel Rabbathi or Semahoth
Book 5: Tracts Aboth, Derech Eretz-Rabba, Derech Eretz-Zuta, and Baba Kama (First Gate)
Book 6: Tract Baba Kama (First Gate), Part II and Tract Baba Metzia (Middle Gate)
Book 7: Tract Baba Bathra (Last Gate)
Book 8: Tract Sanhedrin: Section Jurisprudence (Damages)
Book 9: Tracts Maccoth, Shebuoth, Eduyoth, Abuda Zara, and Horioth
Book 10: History of the Talmud