The Talmud

This title is printed to order. This book may have been self-published. If so, we cannot guarantee the quality of the content. In the main most books will have gone through the editing process however some may not. We therefore suggest that you be aware of this before ordering this book. If in doubt check either the author or publisher’s details as we are unable to accept any returns unless they are faulty. Please contact us if you have any questions.

"The Talmud" translated by Joseph Barclay is a pioneering work, being one of the first substantial abridged translations of this central text in Jewish tradition and law. Published in the late nineteenth century, this translation marks a significant contribution to the understanding of the Talmud beyond the Jewish community.

Barclay, a sympathetic Christian scholar, undertook this immense task after a decade of study with learned Rabbis in the Holy Land. Recognizing the enormity of translating the Talmud, which is more voluminous than the Encyclopaedia Britannica, Barclay adopted a representative approach. He translated the Mishna (the primary text) of seventeen tracts covering the entire span of the Talmud, along with a commentary on the Tabernacle. His selection includes tracts not found in other translations of the time, like Blessings, Sabbatical Year, and Leprosy, among others.

Accompanying the translation is a detailed plan of the Temple complex, complete with architectural notes, adding a unique dimension to this work. Barclay's translation is straightforward, minimizing personal commentary, and has become a meaningful and influential modern interpretation of the Talmud, despite its relative obscurity. This translation serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to delve into the depths of Jewish law and tradition.