The World of the Rabbis

An accessible collection for an introduction to the Talmud Second edition.

This volume contains a selection of passages from the Talmud and Midrash by Rabbi Joseph B. Meszler. The choice of passages focuses on some of the Talmud's "greatest hits." Unlike other Talmud anthologies, here all passages are presented in English and Hebrew or Aramaic. All translations are in the public domain using Sefaria.org.

Rabbi Meszler is a congregational rabbi, teacher of all ages, activist, and writer. He is the author of several books, including: Gifts for the Poor: Moses Maimonides' Treatise on Tzedakah (College of William & Mary, 2003), Witnesses to the One: the Spiritual History of the Sh'ma, (Jewish Lights Publishing, 2006), and Jewish Tradition & Justice Today (CreateSpace, 2017).