Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Talmud

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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!

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.

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

I've been a fan of religion my entire life, and have read many books on the topic. This book rates a 10 in my book. It clarifies so many questions and opens the door for so many new discoveries. The cool thing is that it addresses issues that are not specific only to those of the Jewish faith. This book opened my eyes wider to the beauty of the mystical teachings and uncovered new teachings that enlightened me.

This book is one of those rare gems that you would never expect by its title. I wish all books on religion were this direct and understandable.

RC

If you have an interest in the Talmud, whether you are Jewish or Gentile this book is a great introduction. It is not only highly informative and accurate it is also well written, relevant and even suprising. This is not an academic treatise that will put you to sleep nor an unltra-traditionlist's hair splitting. This is a no regrets taste of Talmud that will leave you more learned and intrigued then when you started.

The Talmud is an immense work, and this book is an excellent concise, yet comprehensive, overview of it.

This book covers many points and issues, including structure and origins, prominent personae, topics covered, views presented, and the traditional and complex methodologies for learning these.

Rabbi Parry also presents many ideas and facts in this book that would be difficult to find elsewhere; I believe that even people who have some knowledge of the Talmud will gain insights into both the historical details of the Talmud as well as its unique take on many contemporary and ethical issues.

The Talmud is considered to be a holy work by observant Jews, and Rabbi Parry treats it as such, and this is the basis to his approach in his presentation of the Talmud in the book. His writing style is very personable. I found this book interesting and quite readable. I believe that it will further fan the spark of interest of the reader to study the Talmud on a deeper level.

This book is a wonderful introduction to a very extensive body of knowledge. It provides an overview of the structure of the Talmud, a look at some of the wit and wisdom within, and some really surprising and interesting "trivia" along the way. It is presented with humor and down-to-earth language. Reading this book will not make you an expert on the Talmud, but it definitely WILL give you an understanding of what this important Jewish text is all about, and insight into why after all these centuries, it is still relevant.

"Talmudic" is often a euphemism for "impossible to fathom". Rabbi Aaron Parry's guide to the Talmud proves otherwise.

One doesn't need to be an electrician to appreciate and benefit from a light switch nor an auto mechanic to benefit from a car. Neither does one need to be fluent in Aramaic as a prerequisite to benefitting from the wisdom of the Talmud.

It is a misnomer to suggest that Talmudic wisdom is "old" or no longer relevant. Rabbi Parry's guide is replete with contemporary examples and applications that demonstrate that the Talmud is as alive today as ever.

In fact, on March 1, 2005, as many as 120,000 Jews across North America are expected to join together in celebration of the 11th "Siyum HaShas" - the culmination of the study of the entire 2,711 pages of Talmud by the "Daf Yomi" (Daf HaYomi) program.

"Daf Yomi" is a study program in which students of the Talmud study one "daf," or page, of Talmud each day. Completion of the program takes approximately seven and one half years. HaShas is an abbreviation for "Ha SHesh Sidrei", referring to the six books of the Mishnah, upon which the Talmud elucidates.

The celebration will be held simultaneously and students of Talmud united by satellite broadcast at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New Jersey, Toronto and many other cities.

Even if you aren't yet up to the marathon of participating in the 12th cycle of daf yomi, Rabbi Parry's introduction to the Talmud and its wisdom is a good place to start and would be a welcome addition to any library of a new bar or bat mitzvah or anyone curious about the wellspring of Jewish law.

[...]

This book was very well written. And considering that the Talmud is as long as the author says it is, writing this book could not have been easy. He packs loads of information onto each page, yet is clear enough for a teenager who has no idea what the Talmud is to walk away with a good understanding. It's not like reading a history textbook. I highly recommend it for anyone, regardless of religion. I'm sure you will not be disappointed.

This book has innumerable printing errors (typos). I've never read another volume in the series but I can't imagine they were proofread so casually. And to think the subject being such an important, even sacred, book would be represented with such sloppiness, oy!
Also, in the chapter on Talmudic discussion, the author states at the beginning that the Talmud allows us to see that the sages felt that the conclusion was more important than the process and at the end of the chapter he says just the opposite. Huh?
However, that being said, I am learning and getting a taste and will pursue learning more Talmud as a result of reading this volume.