The Talmud: Selections by H. Polano

Description

The Talmud: Selections is a book by H. Polano, first published in 1876. Polano assembles readable excerpts from the vast corpus of Talmudic literature — laws, debates, parables, poetry and legends — offering the English-language reader a guided tour through the text’s moral reasoning and narrative riches. The selection emphasises passages that illustrate the Talmud’s blend of legal argument, ethical reflection and folkloric storytelling, making difficult material accessible without attempting a full scholarly translation. Alongside the excerpts, the work supplies brief sketches of the rabbis and commentators who shaped the tradition, situating the selections within their historical and intellectual context. This anthology has been used as an introductory bridge for readers and students seeking an overview of Talmudic themes — its practical law, disputational method, and the humane concerns that run beneath technical debates — while also reflecting the limitations and editorial choices inherent in any condensed presentation.

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