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

~ Isidore Epstein (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

For centuries the Babylonian Talmud has been accessible only to scholars of Aramaic and Hebrew. Compiled by the greatest minds of 35 generations, the Talmud unfolds answers to every pressing question that faced the Jews throughout the ages?on agriculture, astronomy, medicine, economics, architecture, mystical doctrine, mathematics, business, physiology, political science, history, metaphysics, prayer and worship, death and mourning, marriage, divorce, sexual relations, and psychology. Two pillars of traditional Jewish scholarship are woven together in the Talmud: Halacha?the exposition of Jewish laws and customs, their biblical derivations and their practical application in every realm of human relations; and Aggadah?a rich rabbinic folklore, full of legends, maxims, ethical writings, and esoteric interpretations of Jewish law and observance. To those who have studied it, the Talmud is, in the words of the poet, "a book of gems," and only the barrier of language has prevented it from being more widely appreciated. Now this resplendent body of knowledge is completely and definitively translated into English. This lucid and critically acclaimed English rendering has been prepared by world renowned talmudic scholars under the direction of Rabbi Epstein. The Soncino Talmud is the crowning glory of any home library. This popular edition of the Babylonian Talmud contains the full original Hebrew-Aramaic text with the Soncino Press English translation on facing pages. Also included is a helpful commentary in the form of explanatory notes which clarify sources as well as hard to understand portions. Each volume measures close in size to, and follows the exact format of, the classic Vilna edition of the Talmud. Full 30-volume set (8" x 11").

Product Details

• Hardcover: 15392 pages
• Publisher: Soncino Press (January 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1871055504
• ISBN-13: 978-1871055504
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,803,904 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The standard, traditional text with facing translation., July 13, 1999

By A Customer

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.

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic translation but it still works, September 8, 2000

By	Tim Lieder "Founder of Dybbuk Press" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Its English is the best of all translations, December 23, 2004

By	Shalom Freedman "Shalom Freedman" (Jerusalem,Israel) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

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 .