An insightful look at one of the most unusual written works ever created. Compiled centuries ago by a group of wise men as a way to preserve the oral traditions of the Jewish faith, the Talmud has challenged and thrilled some of the world's greatest minds with its complex approach to exploring ideas and subjects from virtually every possible angle. This essential guide makes the ancient text of the "oral Torah" accessible for all readers, whether they're Jewish or not.
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About the Author
Rabbi Aaron Parry has been involved with Jewish educational and rabbinic institutions for over 15 years, and is presently the Education Director of the international counter-cult organization Jews for Judaism. He holds a Master's degree from New York State University in Jewish Studies, and has been published in the Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and Jerusalem Post.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great overview!,
By Heather (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Talmud (Mass Market Paperback)
Admittedly, I was a little disapointed when I found out this text wasn't written by Rabbi Benjamin Blech (author of Idiot's Guide's to Understanding Judaism, Jewish History/Culture and Learning Yiddish). However, I found myself pleased with the book and the knowledge of the author.
Rabbi Aaron Parry takes the extremely complex topic of the Talmud, Judaism's oral tradition, and breaks it down into an easy-to-understand (yet still intellectual) approach. In addition to the in-depth explanation, the entire book is peppered with little Talmudic quotes of wisdom. Rabbi Parry covers information on the writings that make up the Talmud, the organisation of the pages and the orders. It points out which commentaries are where and discusses the sages that wrote them. The book also includes plenty of relevant background information on the creation of the Talmud and those who wrote and contributed to it, as well as explaining modern day application of Talmudic law and important issues of discussion within the Talmud. I may not be about to go out and study Talmud myself after reading the text, but at least I'll be able to understand if other people are discussing it!
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun and informative- what more could you want?,
By Shana Dietz (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Talmud (Mass Market Paperback)
Like most of this series, this one is also enjoyable with an easy to read format. Not for advanced students obviously, this guide can be useful for those with some knowledge [like myself] as well as beginners. It covers the basics - history, structure, methodology - and the extras with humorous anecdotes, short biographies of famous Talmudists, and a good list of websites for further exploration. A must for every Jewish library if you're not already a rabbi, cantor, or Talmud student! Enjoy.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Comprehensive elementary approach to the meaning of the Talmud,
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This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Talmud (Mass Market Paperback)
This book is a friendly comprehensive summary intended for secular Jews and non Jews about the meaning of the Talmud, (the Jewish Oral Law). The Torah is the Jewish written Law.
The first half chapters outline brief explanations about Judaism, the origins of the Talmud, and a glimpse of every of its tractates, mostly related to Jewish fundamentals, laws and concepts The last half chapters illustrate about ancient Talmud Sages opinions about mathematics, ecology, medicine, astronomy, and rulings about controversial issues like cloning, sex and abortion. It also offers interesting transcripts of famous Talmud pieces of wisdom and websites with Talmud content for daily consultation Amusing and practical
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
The Talmud is beyond a doubt one of the most unusual written works ever created. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
one with the clean face, one with the dirty face, bal tashchit, midrash aggadah, torah scholar Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Talmud Tidbits, Talmud Tutor, The Least You Need, Rabbi Judah, Rabbi Shimon, Rabbi Akiva, Oral Law, Bar Kappara, Babylonian Talmud, Rabbi Yehoshua, Baba Batra, Baba Kamma, Holy Temple, Pirkei Avot, Ten Commandments, Bar Hedya, Rabbi Chanina, Jerusalem Talmud, King David, Rabbi Meir, Rosh Hashanah, Baba Metzia, Rabbi Yehudah, High Priest, Rabbi Jeremiah New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
The Talmud is beyond a doubt one of the most unusual written works ever created. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
one with the clean face, one with the dirty face, bal tashchit, midrash aggadah, torah scholar Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Talmud Tidbits, Talmud Tutor, The Least You Need, Rabbi Judah, Rabbi Shimon, Rabbi Akiva, Oral Law, Bar Kappara, Babylonian Talmud, Rabbi Yehoshua, Baba Batra, Baba Kamma, Holy Temple, Pirkei Avot, Ten Commandments, Bar Hedya, Rabbi Chanina, Jerusalem Talmud, King David, Rabbi Meir, Rosh Hashanah, Baba Metzia, Rabbi Yehudah, High Priest, Rabbi Jeremiah New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 16
books:
See all 16 books this book cites
- Guide to the Perplexed by Maimonides on page 45, page 235, and page 237
- Return to the Stars by Erich von Daniken on page 290, and page 295
- King Solomon by Romain Gary in Front Matter
- The Gift of Kabbalah: Discovering the Secrets of Heaven, Renewing Your Life on Earth by Tamar Frankiel in Back Matter
- King Solomon by Jenny Robertson in Front Matter
See all 16 books this book cites
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