Talmud- Commentary

We study the Talmud, poring over its pages, cherishing its every word. But do we know very much about its background? In this beautiful volume, we will enrich and enhance the experience of learning Talmud with so much vital information! Includes writings on: Biographies of hundreds of major Tannaim and Amoraim. Major historical documents discussing the origin of the Mishnah and Gemara, including Rambam's Introduction to Yad Chazakah and to his Commentary on the Mishnah, with both Hebrew text and English translation, and explanatory notes. The Iggeres Rav Sherira Gaon in Aramaic and English translation, with explanatory notes. This classic 10th century document describes how the Mishnah and Gemara were formulated, and is almost unknown to most students of the Torah. A readable narrative history of the Gemara era, including the political and social world of Talmudic times in both Eretz Yisrael and Babylonia, and the history of the Yeshivos of the Tannaim and Amoraim. A brief essay on the history of the printings of the Talmud. A description of the layout of the classic Vilna page. An explanation of the basic structure of Talmudic discussions <What is the Oral Law and what is its relationship to the Written Torah? An explanation of the 13 Middos by which the Written Torah is expounded, with clear examples of each one What is the Oral Law and what is its relationship to the Written Torah? An explanation of the 13 Middos by which the Written Torah is expounded, with clear examples of each one What is the Oral Law and what is its relationship to the Written Torah? An explanation of the 13 Middos by which the Written Torah is expounded, with clear examples of each one

Aggadah is the non-legal portion of the Talmud. It contains the stories, the moral and ethical lessons, the ideas of our faith and our religion. In the Aggadah, we meet the wise and holy Sages of the Talmud not only as masters of the law, but as masters of the human experience.

Compiled in the 16th century, Ein Yaakov is a classic collection of all the Aggadic material found in Talmud Bavli and Talmud Yerushalmi. For many centuries it has been among the most popular of Talmudic works. Many shuls had Ein Yaakov classes, in which, after long days at work, men drew inspiration from the holy teachings, parables, stories and lessons contained in Ein Yaakov and its commentaries. Our Rabbis understood the workings of man and taught us lessons that are still relevant today.

The Schottenstein Edition of Ein Yaakov includes many features that will enhance the study of this beloved classic:

• A new, flowing translation, designed for maximum readability.
• Notes based on the primary commentaries on Ein Yaakov and other sources.
• "Insights": This special feature illuminates various points in the text and brings out the many lessons and principles that are relevant in our daily lives. These Insights are drawn from a vast literature of various commentaries and Torah works, ranging from the Rishonim to the masters of Chassidus and Mussar.
• An "Additional References" section, where many additional sources are referenced with short descriptions of the point that are discussed, so that the reader can decide which he wishes to explore further.

Since the Torah was given to all of Am Yisrael at Sinai, how did disputes as to its meaning arise? How did the Sages act when new situations arose that were not provided for in the tradition? What is the difference between Rabbinic interpretation and Rabbinic legislation, and to what extent are these guided by logic or moral reasoning? To what extent did the Sages enjoy the power to interpret tradition and legislate? Did the Sages rely on legal fictions to change the law?

These questions, among others, are of great importance to anyone who wants to understand the most essential aspects of Judaism. This newly revised and expanded edition aims to educate both the Torah scholar and the interested layman in the complexities of the Oral Law.