The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Talmud

by Rabbi Aaron Parry

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.

Genres: Judaism, Religion, Reference, History, Nonfiction, Judaica

345 pages, Paperback

First published March 4, 2003

Reviews

[Czarny Pies · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful guide to the sacred Jewish texts written for individuals who know nothing about the topic. It also contains an introduction to the skills and methods of Talmudic studies. As a practicing Catholic, I found it fascinating. Needless to say that it reveals a number of contentious issues that have also created challenges for Catholic theologians.

[Simcha York · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding the Talmud is probably worth reading for the concept alone: a basic introduction to a subject so complex that it basically defies any attempt to summarize it in any meaningful way (this book probably rates right up there with The Complete Idiot's Guide to String Theory when it comes to the audacity with which it attempts to dumb down the essentially un-dumb-downable).

The book is, overall, a fair introduction to its subject matter. It lacks the scholarly rigor of Adin Steinsaltz's The Essential Talmud, but does a decent job of capturing the spirit of the Talmud and enticing the reader toward a closer look at what is probably the world's most complex (and fascinatingly weird) religious text. Rabbi Parry seems to adopt a fairly literalist approach to both Talmud and the Tanakh, but even non-literalists can read this book without being put out by such an approach, particularly since Parry does a good job of capturing the spirit of the mythos of the Talmud's presentation of halacha and aggadah. Nevertheless, some of Parry's idiosyncracies (his fairly non-skeptical approach to UFOs, his attempts to synthesize the Talmud's discussions of the natural world with science) may be distracting to some readers.

Finally, as with most books in the Complete Idiot's series, this book does suffer from a lack of careful editing. Typos abound, and the inconsistent (and sometimes downright odd) transliteration can be annoying (it is not unusual to find a Hebrew word or name spelled two different ways within a single paragraph).

[Dorum · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an "ok" introduction. I have had no understanding of the Talmud and what it comprises before. This gave me some idea of it from the point of view of someone who is a practicing Jew. Nevertheless I have the feeling that some of the interpretations present here are somewhat far fetched. Yet, the whole book is very strange comprised and as such, I don't think that his interpretation is invalid or anything like that.

I was mostly interested in the logical aspect of the Talmud... It gives some explanation. I guess in a way it is really deep and hard to integrate into one simple book as this one.

[Harold Citron · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting overview of the Talmud, its history, structure, philosophy, and place in Jewish learning and life.

As with other books in this type of series, it is a broad introduction rather than a deep dive. For those looking for further insight and study, the book provides a decent list of additional guides and locations of the original texts.

[Joe Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid if slightly quirky look at the Talmud. The reading is fairly easy and the book is split up into easy chapters. Good for someone like me who knows very little about this book but is curious. At points it can get a bit dull and I'm not sure if some examples give the best indication of what the Talmud is all about.

[Dubravka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for the very basic understanding--a solid starter book.

[Greg Horne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great overview for someone with no training in the Torah or history of the ancient Jewish sages. Time well spent.

[Tom Burst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to the Talmud for someone with no background in it.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very informative read and provides a good introduction to the Talmud and its tractates.

[Manugw · Rating 5 out of 5]

COMPREHENSIVE ELEMENTARY APPROACH TO THE MEANING OF THE TALMUD

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

[Riobhcah · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I began reading this book, I rather expected it to be at least somewhat silly, as these "idiot's guides" often are. however, this one turned out to be a pretty interesting introduction to and overview of the basics of the Talmud and basic Jewish thought about many different subjects.

[Debbie]

up to page 127

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few typos, but very thorough. Understandable for the most part.

[Bookwyrm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intro. material, slightly silly.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting and knowledgeable, but tons of grammatical errors, which I found distracting.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

How many typos can one book have? Apparently quite a few.