The Talmud is a gigantic collection of law and lore compiled well over a thousand years ago by Jewish scholars in Jerusalem and Babylon. The Talmud has been studied in every generation since, and today it is beloved by hundreds of thousands of people of all backgrounds, around the world. The stories of the Talmud depict earthy and frank experiences of love, suffering, hope and persistence that all humans grapple with as we move through life. These retellings do not deviate from the ancient Aramaic sources, although at times we have emphasized a silenced perspective in the story. In true Talmudic tradition, the stories in this collection don't always provide easy answers, but they move us to ask important questions.
The first complete English translation of the Hebrew classic Sefer Ha-Aggadah brings to the English-speaking world the greatest and best-loved anthology of classical Rabbinic literature ever compiled. First published in Odessa in 1908-11, it was recognized immediately as a masterwork in its own right, and reprinted numerous times in Israel. The Hebrew poet Hayim Nahman Bialik and the renowned editor Yehoshua Hana Ravnitzky, the architects of this masterful compendium, selected hundreds of texts from the Talmud and midrashic literature and arranged them thematically, in order to provide their contemporaries with easy access to the national literary heritage of the Jewish people -- the texts of Rabbinic Judaism that remain at the heart of Jewish literacy today. Bialik and Ravnitzky chose Aggadah -- the non-legal portions of the Talmud and Midrash -- for their anthology. Loosely translated as "legends", Aggadah includes the genres of biblical exegesis, stories about biblical characters, the lives of the Talmudic era sages and their contemporary history, parables, proverbs, and folklore. A captivating melange of wisdom and piety, fantasy and satire, Aggadah is the expressive medium of the Jewish creative genius. The arrangement of this compendium reflects the theological concerns of the Rabbinic sages: the role of Israel and the nations; God, good and evil; human relations; the world of nature; and the art of healing. Here, the reader who wants to explore traditional Jewish views on a particular subject is treated to a selection of relevant texts at his fingertips but will soon become immersed in a way of thinking, exploring, and questioning that is the hallmark of Jewish inquiry. "Whatever the imagination can invent is found in the Aggadah," wrote the historian Leopold Zunz, "its purpose always being to teach man the ways of God." The Book of Legends/Sefer Ha-Aggadah, now available in william Braude's superbly annotated translation, enables modern Jews to experience firsthand the richness and excitement of their cultural inheritance.
"Legends of Old Testament Characters, from the Talmud and Other Sources" is a book by Sabine Baring-Gould, an English scholar, antiquarian, and prolific author of the 19th century. In this work, Baring-Gould explores the rich tapestry of legends and folklore surrounding characters from the Old Testament, drawing from a variety of sources including the Talmud, Midrash, apocryphal texts, and medieval Jewish commentaries. The book provides retellings and interpretations of stories about figures such as Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Moses, David, Solomon, and others. Baring-Gould's goal is to illuminate the depth and breadth of Jewish tradition surrounding these biblical characters, highlighting the cultural, religious, and moral significance of their tales. Baring-Gould's work reflects his deep interest in comparative religion, folklore, and mythology. He presents these legends not only as historical narratives but also as reflections of universal human themes and archetypes. Through his retellings and commentary, readers gain insights into the ways in which ancient Jewish traditions have shaped perceptions of the Old Testament figures and their relevance to subsequent generations. "Legends of Old Testament Characters, from the Talmud and Other Sources" serves as both an introduction to Jewish folklore and a testament to the enduring power of biblical stories to inspire imagination and moral reflection across cultures and centuries.
Reflections by the Nobel-winning philosopher and novelist on the prophets, scribes, and rebbes who comprise the histories and myths of Jewish folklore. Most of these essays were originally given as lectures at the 92nd Street Y in New York, and even in written form they preserve the tone and tempo of extemporary speech. The style is anecdotal rather than scholarly, and Wiesel does not hesitate to bring his opinions to bear.
Retold by Rabbi Gelfand, each of these eight delightful tales from Jewish tradition is accompanied by Hall's vivid artwork and delivers a simple yet powerful message. Full color. 8 x 11.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
A prophet and a pretty woman, a rainmaker and a renegade—from them we learn about ourselves. Ancient stories that whisper truth to your soul—new in paperback! Great stories have the power to draw the heart. But certain stories have the power to draw the heart to God and awaken the better angels of our nature. Such are the tales of the rabbis of the Talmud, colorful, quirky yarns that tug at our heartstrings and test our values, ethics, morality—and our imaginations. In this collection for people of all faiths and backgrounds, Rabbi Burton Visotzky draws on four decades of telling and teaching these legends in order to unlock their wisdom for the contemporary heart. He introduces you to the cast of characters, explains their motivations, and provides the historical background needed to penetrate the wise lessons often hidden within these unusual narratives. In learning how and why these oft-told tales were spun, you discover how they continue to hold value for our lives.
