The Babylonian Talmud, Book 3

This is the third book of The Babylonian Talmud by Jewish scholar Michael L. Rodkinson. This ten-volume set was an attempt to translate the Talmud, the vast collection of Jewish laws and traditions. Rodkinsons' edition contains complete translations of the 'Festivals' and 'Jurisprudence' sections of the Talmud, comprising only about a third of the Talmud. This third book continues with tracts from section Moed (Festivals): principally Tract Pesachim (Passover), a major Jewish holiday that celebrates the Biblical story of the Israelites escape from slavery in Egypt, and Tract Yomah (Day of Atonement), the holiest day in Judaism, primarily centered on atonement and repentance, the day's observances consist of full fasting and ascetic behavior accompanied by intensive prayer as well as sin confessions. The short third tract, Hagiga, discusses the Holocaust ceremony, (meaning a burnt-offering), which today has come into use as a term for the Nazi genocide. It should be noted that Rodkinson has been criticized by traditionalist Jews who feel that translating the Talmud is not an acceptable practice. This book is taken from a 1918 edition.