The Talmud: A Reference Guide

Adin Steinsaltz, Random House, 1989

Rabbi Steinsaltz’s reference guide to the Talmud is an excellent English-language resource for students and potential Talmudists at all levels of ability. It offers clear and concise definitions of important phrases, concepts and translations of commonly-met but not-so-easily-translated words. The first part of the book offers a good introduction to the whole Talmud experience – its history, purpose and an excellent chapter on the historical background, culture and language of the Talmud. Following this, there are various reference sections, dealing in turn with Jewish communities of the Talmudic era, the sages of the Talmud, the tractates, the layout of a page of Talmud, and various glossaries. The main part of the work provides sections on methodology, terminology halachic concepts, Talmudic weights and measures, and the process of decision-making. It’s an invaluable resource.

The Talmud: A Reference Guide