The Talmud Selections: Rabbinic Lore and Wisdom of the Sacred Jewish Texts

by H. Polano

The Talmud is the source of Jewish law, a holy text of enormous significance in Rabbinic Judaism. These selections by scholar H. Polano are poignant, valuable highlights of the Talmudic lore. Beginning with a background history of the Bible, we are given insight into how the Jewish teachings and precepts were altered over time. The social and political upheavals of ancient Judaea led the temple to draft new laws and rules; Rome's occupation, and its destruction of the Second Temple amid a popular revolt against its rule, led adherents to write and make copies of Jewish law. The previous system of oral tradition, whereby religious precepts were passed on to generations of new priests and Rabbis, was obsoleted. The process of creating the Talmud was painstaking; the ancient Jewish scholars strove for accuracy. The new, written form of Talmud took centuries to be completed - hostility by the ruling Roman authority, linguistic differences between regions, and structural variations characterized the versions produced. Polano navigates these complexities deftly, placing the legal changes in context, while including pertinent biographies of Rabbis who had roles in the effort. The formalizing of ceremonies, holy days and elements of criminal and civil law are likewise identified.

Genres: Religion, Judaism

210 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Talmud by H Polano is a compilation of selections from that Ancient Book; it's commentaries, teachings, poetry and legends.
It is important reading for all Jews, but also a source of wisdom and insight for a gentile reader.
The section on Biblical History is quite fascinating, and includes a depth of detail, which we don't always come across in summaries of biblical events. For example we read of Enoch's ascent to heaven, how Abram - the father of the Jewish Nation- lived for a time with Noah, and a well-documented account of the rescue by Simeon and Levi, of their sister Dinah, and the age of deaths of all the sons of Jacob.

Unfortunately this does not encompass the entire Biblical history found in the Talmud, and it cuts off abruptly at parts, starting equally abruptly elsewhere.
For example, in discussing Abraham's intended sacrifice of Isaac, the book tells us how Isaac "stretched his neck to meet the knife which rested in his father's hand".
But leave out the appearance of the angel, and the trapping of the ram in the bush, simply continuing in a new paragraph: "and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burned-offering in the stead of his son."

Indeed it brings so much of the Bible to life as we remember such images as the little dark haired girl , Miriam , crouched in the bullrushes as she watches the cradle of her little brother Moses being discovered by the Pharaoh's daughter.

Then follows a section of 'Specimens of Biblical Commentaries'.
It gives the symbolism of the ten plagues and a beautiful account of 'The Book of Esther'which contains the valuable message " And further we degree that the Jews may arise and protect themselves , aye, and take vengeance on such as raise a bloody hand against them." May the enemies of Israel always perish and may Israel always arise and defend her children , and take bloody vengenance on all who try to harm her children.
Also contained in this volume van account of the wisdom of King Solomon.

Part Third is about the Rabbis, their teachings, and incidents in their lives, and Part Fourth: Proverbs and Sayings of the Rabbis, Legends etc , including some wonderful biblical fables like The Desert Island and The Emperor and the Aged Man.

Part Fifth includes a sketch of Criminal and Civil Law in Judaism, and information about the Jewish Holy Days.
While this is only extract from the Talmud, and not the entire momentous works thereof, it is an extremely inspiring and insightful book.

[Rex Libris · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting sampler of the Talmud. Worth reading for anyone interested in a solid, basic introduction Judaic scholarship.

What I found most interesting was the rendering of the Torah. Particularly, it filled in the timeline of what was happening with all of those long-lived people and how their lives overlapped. For example, Methuselah and Noah overlapped, but God had waited until Methuselah had died before sending the flood.

[Abigail G · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting introduction to portions of Talmud. It was fascinating to see how some of the teachings correlate with Christian doctrine and how other teachings are totally different.

[Tamara · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book must be a computer generated edition. A robot book.
I don’t know why I tried to read it twice. The typos are so distracting! It will not happen again.
One star is generous.