Customer Reviews

The Talmud, The Steinsaltz Edition, Vol. 1: Tractate Bava Metzia, Part 1 (English and Hebrew Edition)

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I have had this edition of the Talmud for a weeks now and must say that I would recommend it to anybody. I've been wanting to study Talmud for a while, but couldn't find a good English Edition.

The other major Edition of the Talmud in English is Artscroll's Schottenstein Edition. While the Schottenstein certainly has its merits, I find the Steinsaltz Talmud superior. First of all you would have to note the superior layout of the Steinsaltz Talmud. The print is large, and layout clear. This makes for an "easy read." I love the fact that Rav Steinsaltz gives two translations: one is pretty much a word-for-word translation, which is great for those learning Hebrew/Aramaic. The other translation is contextual, i.e. Rav Steinsaltz attempts to put the larger context in, so that what you read makes a lot more sense. Words and phrases from the literal translation are highlighted so that you know which words are from the Talmud and which have been supplemented by Rav Steinsaltz.

The edition includes good notes on the background, although I do think the Schottenstein notes are a bit more extensive. That being said, the Steinsaltz edition excells in sorting through what is and isn't necessary, which I find really helpful for beginnners (you don't want to be overwhelmed the first time you open that Talmud volume).
The only thing I find odd is that Volume 1 is only 250 pages long. I feel they could've made each volume thicker (the present one is maybe only one or one-and-a-half inches thick) so that Bava Metzia wouldn't span 6 (?) Volumes. Having to buy more volumes is a bit harder on the pocket book, especially for me as a student.


PS: Bava Metzia Volume 1 CONTAINS ONLY THE FIRST CHAPTER of Bava Metzia. Volume 2 includes chapters 2 and 3.