sher@rochester.UUCP (David Sher) (04/28/84)
From: David.Sher Is there a good (or even bad) translation of the talmud (preferably babylonian although the jerusalem will do) into English. I feel it would be both entertaining and rewarding reading from what I have heard but do not feel up to learning aramaic (I tried to learn greek to read Plato in the original (not to mention Herotodus) and that cured me of learning new languages). Also I lost 1/4 of my bible so if there is a recomended english translation of the bible I wouldn't mind either. (Needless to say I am only really interested in the old testament (and don't give me any gruff about using that term or I will give you a lesson in popular linguistic philosophy)). -David Sher
dave@utcsrgv.UUCP (Dave Sherman) (04/30/84)
There is a very good version published by Soncino which is entirely in English. There are also versions which have English and Aramaic on opposite sides of the page. The one I use has a direct literal translation, with copious footnotes explaining the rather cryptic language. The Rashi is not translated, but the footnotes take its place somewhat. I can find the publisher's name if you're interested and no-one else has it. Dave Sherman Toronto -- {allegra,cornell,decvax,ihnp4,linus,utzoo}!utcsrgv!dave
rib@pyuxdd.UUCP (RI Block) (04/30/84)
The standard available translation of the Talmud was done by Soncino and since pirated by many others (traditional press comes to mind). Several net posters have used the comment of our sages of blessed memory that one who credits his sources brings redemption to the world. The converse is probably true and helps explain the log-running success of galut. Selected tractates were also rendered into English by El-Am. The Soncino version is very dry and El-Am is very incomplete. My suggestion is to use Adin Steinsalz editions which have almost all the Aramaic translated into Hebrew and the main text is vowel pointed. If the best reason for learning Hebrew is to appreciate Ps 104, learning Talmud with the help of Rav Steinsalz is number 2.