[net.religion.jewish] Any one have a translation of the Talmud into English

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.