dsg@mhuxi.UUCP (GREEN) (03/08/84)
x I've noticed that Talmud subjects have been discussed at various levels of understanding. The *best* book that I know of that explains what the Talmud is, its history, structure and content, and method of study is: "The Essential Talmud" by Adin Steinsaltz Available in paperback, softcover and hardcover Bantam Books, Inc. 666 Fifth Avenue, New York , NY (paperback 1977) Basic Books NY (soft and hardcover) It is easily available in New York Jewish bookstores, at least the hardcover version is. If you would like more info, or if you need assistance in getting a copy, please contact me. By the way, the book does not assume that you are Jewish or would like to be. It is just a very readable book aimed at a general audience. David Seth Green AT&T Bell Labs phone 201-564-2290 path ..floyd!mhuxi!dsg
amigo2@ihuxq.UUCP (John Hobson) (03/14/84)
David Green kindly lent me his copy of THE ESSENTIAL TALMUD (thanks, David, I am returning it today). I can also heartily recommend it to anyone who wants a good introduction to the subject. It goes into history, Talmudic reasoning, summarizes each order (and often individual tractates), mentions the major commentators (I hadn't known that Rashbam and Rabbenu Tam were Rashi's grandsons), and is well written and well reasoned. One thing annoyed me. In the chapter on "Strange and Bizarre Problems," there is the sentence: "A somewhat later text takes up the mythical *golem* and asks whether such a being is entitled to participate in a *minyan*." And then, the question having been raised, we are given no answer. Someone, please tell me. After all, as Steinsaltz points out, this touches on the wider "problem of defining man and his limitations". If a golem is to be admitted to a minyan, then I think that any being having artificial intelligence could be. But what if the golem has a non-Jewish creator. Could such a goyishe golem convert? I can think of all sorts of things that this raises. John Hobson AT&T Bell Labs--Naperville, IL ihnp4!ihuxq!amigo2
bleich@acf4.UUCP (Chaya Bleich) (03/15/84)
John Hobson asked about a "somewhat later text that takes up the
problem of allowing the mythical golem to participate in a minyan,"
or something to that effect. My mother teaches a course in modern
Jewish history, and that source is one of the readings covered.
The reference is Sheailos U-Teshuvos Chacham Tzvi, no. 93.
The Chacham Tzvi rules that a golem may NOT be counted
for a minyan.
A Freilechen Purim!!
Chaya Bleich
allegra!cmcl2!acf4!bleich