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From: ellis@zeus.UUCP (Ellis Cohen)
Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish
Subject: Re: English Translation of the Talmud?
Message-ID: <216@zeus.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 28-Nov-85 21:03:44 EST
Article-I.D.: zeus.216
Posted: Thu Nov 28 21:03:44 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 30-Nov-85 13:46:11 EST
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> Has the Talmud (Mishnah, Gemara, etc.) been translated into English
> (along with enough additional information to make it understandable
> to someone not well-versed in Jewish theology?)

Other than the Soncino edition(s), I know of no translation into English
of the *entire* Talmud.  However, I know of two translations of parts of
the Talmud, each of which is excellent:

(1) The "El Am" Talmud, with English Translation and Commentary.  It starts
from the ground up and includes extensive explanations of Talmudic discussion
forms and vocabulary.  For example, the first chapter of "Berakhoth"
(Benedictions) runs some 26 pages in the standard Hebrew-language editions
of the Talmud -- but is covered (*very* readably) on 278 pages in the El Am
edition.

The only drawback is that it exists only for a very small subset of the books
making up the Talmud.  As far as I know, the complete set runs some 6 volumes.

The editor of this series is Rabbi Dr. A. Zvi Ehrman, and the copy I'm looking
at was [re- ??] published in 1982.  Any good Jewish bookstore should be able
to get a copy.

(2) The ArtScroll Mishnah Series, published by
        Mesorah Publications, Ltd.
        1969 Coney Island Avenue
        Brooklyn, NY 11223
includes a good portion of the Talmud by now (and they're continually adding
to the series -- right now, at least 9 volumes are currently in print).

This Series assumes a greater familiarity with Talmudic concepts than does the
El Am (it explains fewer of the underlying assumptions and terms) -- but
Mesorah has published an *excellent* English-language reference work.

                                Ellis Cohen

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