Talmud

Author: None
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-03-01
Features: A Treasury of Jewish Wisdom. The entire 20-volume Talmud comprises 12,000 pages and 2.5 million words, covering a vast and complex array of topics. It includes religion, law, folklore, ethics, medicine, superstition, as well as daily life aspects like routines, diet, bathing, clothing, and sleep. It begins with the Proverbs of the Old Testament, followed by myths, poetry, fables, moral reflections, and historical recollections, with a wide range of themes and vivid content. Although one-third of it consists of Midrash, which are moral teachings and sermons, it does not feel rigid or stiff. If the Old Testament is an eternal book, then the Talmud is the companion of Jewish daily life, filled with life wisdom and sound advice for handling crises. It is not a history book, yet it discusses history; it is not a biographical work, yet it narrates the lives of individuals; it is not an encyclopedia, yet it encompasses everything. It is precisely this that has nurtured the model of Western civilization and become the source of Jewish wisdom. Alongside the Bible, Plato's Republic, Aristotle's Politics, and the Islamic Quran, it is regarded as one of the great works that have influenced human civilization, truly an enduring classic.