The Talmud: Selections & Tractate Berakoth ( Benedictions ) : Mishna and Tosephta
Description
The Talmud: Selections
by H. Polano
If you have browsed the Rodkinson 10 volume abridged translation of the Talmud, you probably know that the work is a vast expanse of wisdom literature, with huge stretches of incredibly dry legal debates and minutiae interposed with rich oases of fascinating lore. It is difficult to find these islands without a map. Polano's Talmud: Selections, is just such a guide. This was one of the first English anthologies of Talmudic literature. The early Biblical lore is organized as a continuous narrative, which makes an interesting supplement to a reading of the Bible. Polano includes a selection of the best stories of the Rabbis, some reminiscent of tales of the Zen monks. The humor of the Talmud is also well represented (particularly the tale of the Emperor and the Aged Man, with its archetypal Jewish punchline).
Tractate Berakoth ( Benedictions ) : Mishna and Tosephta
Translated by A. Lukyn Williams
This is a translation of Tractate Berakoth, a portion of the Mishna which deals with prayer: specifically when, where and how to pray. It includes the Mishna and the Tosephta commentary. This translation was produced by a Christian scholar in the early 20th century. While Williams is not hesitant to reference Christian texts, he is primarily interested in how the rules expressed in this Mishna influenced the early Christians, not in making a sectarian point. This adds some comparative interest. In addition, the extensive scholarly apparatus increases the value of this edition, the only complete public domain translation of this part of the Mishna.
by H. Polano
If you have browsed the Rodkinson 10 volume abridged translation of the Talmud, you probably know that the work is a vast expanse of wisdom literature, with huge stretches of incredibly dry legal debates and minutiae interposed with rich oases of fascinating lore. It is difficult to find these islands without a map. Polano's Talmud: Selections, is just such a guide. This was one of the first English anthologies of Talmudic literature. The early Biblical lore is organized as a continuous narrative, which makes an interesting supplement to a reading of the Bible. Polano includes a selection of the best stories of the Rabbis, some reminiscent of tales of the Zen monks. The humor of the Talmud is also well represented (particularly the tale of the Emperor and the Aged Man, with its archetypal Jewish punchline).
Tractate Berakoth ( Benedictions ) : Mishna and Tosephta
Translated by A. Lukyn Williams
This is a translation of Tractate Berakoth, a portion of the Mishna which deals with prayer: specifically when, where and how to pray. It includes the Mishna and the Tosephta commentary. This translation was produced by a Christian scholar in the early 20th century. While Williams is not hesitant to reference Christian texts, he is primarily interested in how the rules expressed in this Mishna influenced the early Christians, not in making a sectarian point. This adds some comparative interest. In addition, the extensive scholarly apparatus increases the value of this edition, the only complete public domain translation of this part of the Mishna.
More Books by H. Polano
