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The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Talmud [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

by Rabbi Aaron Parry (Author) "The Talmud is beyond a doubt one of the most unusual written works ever created..." (more)
Key Phrases: one with the clean face, one with the dirty face, bal tashchit, Talmud Tidbits, Talmud Tutor, The Least You Need (more...)

4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
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.

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.

Product Details

Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Alpha (August 3, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1592572022
ISBN-13: 978-1592572021
Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #56,668 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
Popular in this category: (What's this?)
#5 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible & Other Sacred Texts > Sacred Writings > Talmud

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Inside This Book (learn more)

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

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 16 books:

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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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	74% buy the item featured on this page: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Talmud 4.7 out of 5 stars (15) $12.89
	10% buy Everyman's Talmud: The Major Teachings of the Rabbinic Sages 4.5 out of 5 stars (29) $12.24
	9% buy The Essential Talmud 4.5 out of 5 stars (16) $14.00
	4% buy The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Judaism, 2nd Edition 4.7 out of 5 stars (24) $12.89

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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
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Average Customer Review

4.7 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great overview!, November 11, 2004

By	Heather (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

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!

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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and informative- what more could you want?, September 7, 2004

By	Shana Dietz (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

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.

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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive elementary approach to the meaning of the Talmud, December 21, 2005

By	Manuel Gwiazda (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a pretty well thought out book
I believe that Rabbi Aaron Parry has a sublime natural talent with his writing technique. Read more

Published 5 months ago by Jeffrey A. Grunfeld

3.0 out of 5 stars Why so many printing errors?
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. Read more

Published 14 months ago by Mike R.

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!!
What an awesome way to get a taste of the Talmud, this book is very insightful and instructive, I highly recommend this to anyone who is going to be studying the Talmud. Read more

Published on May 11, 2006 by M. Smith

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Work, can't say anything more
Rabbi Parry has provided a great wprk for those interesting in learning Talmud. I have just started Gemara shiurim, and I have found this book in great complement to it. Read more

Published on February 23, 2006 by Boris Preger

5.0 out of 5 stars A great introduction to the Talmud
The Talmud is an immense work, and this book is an excellent concise, yet comprehensive, overview of it. Read more

Published on October 17, 2005 by Rabbi Ron Aviram Degany

5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative and well written.
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. Read more

Published on August 2, 2005 by Scott B. Marcus

2.0 out of 5 stars Poorly written and edited
This book is perfectly genial, but there are a lot of problems with it. The most minor is that it is full of typos and inconsistancies in spelling (such as writing Shabbos in one... Read more

Published on August 2, 2005 by liquid_glass

5.0 out of 5 stars Accessable, and then some
"Talmudic" is often a euphemism for "impossible to fathom". Rabbi Aaron Parry's guide to the Talmud proves otherwise. Read more

Published on February 22, 2005 by Aaron D. Gross

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the book!
If you have an interest in the Talmud, whether you are Jewish or Gentile this book is a great introduction. Read more

Published on November 14, 2004 by Zachary Goldman

5.0 out of 5 stars More than good advice
I haven't had a chance to read this book yet, but I can attest to the authors vast knowledge of Jewish scholarship and culture. A real virtuoso. Read more

Published on August 25, 2004 by Shimon Meir

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