World of the Talmud

By Morris Adler

Book Overview

The World of the Talmud by Morris Adler is a comprehensive guide to the history, culture, and teachings of the Talmud. The Talmud is a central text of Judaism, containing the teachings and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805200584
• ISBN13: 9780805200584
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Schocken
• Length: 156 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 5.5" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

The elucidation of the Talmud

In his book "The World of The Talmud," Rabbi morris Adler explains the fundamentals of the Talmud. Although in some respects the author sacrifices depth for brevity the points that the Rabbi makes are still poignant. Structurally, Adler takes us through the byzantine world of the Talmud by illustrating how this encylopedic work is divided. The first division is between the Gemara and Mishna.To put it concisely the Mishna is a commentary on the Torah and the Gemara is a commentary on the Mishna. The second division is between Halacha and Agada. Halacha is jewish law similar to that of Sharia in Islam and Agada is about the mystical folklore that has come to define the spiritual realm of the Talmud. One of the most important points Elder brings up, that maybe of interest to those engaged in Christian-Jewish Dialouge, is on Rabbinical teaching differs largely from Church Teaching. 1. Credo Quia Absurdum Est. Translated is "I believe that which is unreasonable," However in Judaism the learned Gentile is to be honored above that of an ignorant high priest. Furthermore the empasis on the study of Scripture has "helped keep judaism intellectually vigorous and alert." 2 Extra Eccleasiaam Nulla Salus, (No salvation outside of the church) Alder contends that the attempt to translate this into Hebrew is not feasible because words such as "Salvation" and "church" are epistemolgically rooted in Church theology. Instead the concept of Salvation isnt limited to an institution nor a paticular religion. In fact the inclusvity and appreciation of followers of other faiths is expressed in the Rabbinical phrase Hasideri Urmot Ha-Olam. Tanna D bei Eliyahu p. 48 testifys to this sense of religious pluralism. 3. Another intersting point of religious intersection between Christian theology and Rabbinical teaching brought up by the author is amplified in Romans 13:1 where the biblical proscriptions seemingly suggest that Kings and all forms of Government are from God. Although the Jewish concept Dina D'amalchuta dina might seem to be in agreement with Paul it isnt. The laws of the land are to be obeyed only inso far as their teaching does not harm their religion or is not constiutionally constructed. Lastly Alder argues that The Talmud is not only subjected to reason nor Passion but is a harmonization of the two. This is the meaning behind the Deutronimic verse you must worship God with all your Mind and Heart which is physically symbolized by the Tefilin.