Customer Reviews

Soncino Hebrew/English Babylonian Talmud (30-Volume Set)

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The traditional pagination of the Vilna (first printed) edition of the Talmud (including Rashi and Tosafot) is preserved, but with the addition of a superb literal translation facing each page. This Talmud is excellent for the uninitiated, english only reader, someone with a basic Hebrew-Aramaic vocabulary, or even the more advanced learner who needs little help with the traditional text. It also includes a comprehensive index of terms and personalities. Worthwhile for your Jewish bookshelf.

I am puzzled by the book's Amazon description as the Soncino Talmud that I study from doesn't have any pictures and currently it's not even talking about the Temple. But I will review the Soncino Talmud in hopes that AMazon got it wrong...

While the Artscroll and Steinsaltz translations have eclipsed Soncino, this is still one of the most valuable translations out there. While Artscroll takes great pains to describe the background of every argument, while Steinsaltz goes even farther in that direction, this edition gives the straight translation with a few notes for clarification. Some of the notes are for scholars while other notes are for anyone (such as defining Havdalah).

In many ways these books are better for a beginning than either Artscroll or Steinsaltz, because although they don't explain every detail, they also don't bog down the casual reader with these details. You can go through several pages and feel like you've accomplished something. You might not get the depth of Artscroll but you've certainly gotten the knowledge. Also, unlike Artscroll, an entire tractate can fit into one volume. The average Artscroll book has between 30-50 pages of the Talmud while these books can fit 90-110 pages. This is not only easier on the bookshelves but also on the pocketbook.

I would recommend this set as the first set and then move on to either Artscroll or Steinsaltz when re-examining and studying the texts. And as with the Talmud always, you need to study it with someone else.

The previous reviews have indicated that this translation is superb. I believe the quality of the English in this translation has never been matched. But as has been pointed out this work does not contain as extensive commentary as Artscroll and Steinsaltz. Perhaps this means as one reader suggested that it is possible to read through several pages more easily than with other translations. But my experience is , and I am not the greatest learner in the world, that Talmud truly does require for most group study, or study with a havruta. 'Reading it' is not really understanding it. This is very complicated and difficult material .