Rabbi Michael Katz

A lucid and intelligent introduction to midrash (the term for rabbinic explanations and interpretations of the Jewish Bible). Like its predecessor, "Swimming in the Sea of Talmud," this provides a good mix of historical context and contemporary commentary -- and, in the grand tradition of the rabbis, the present-day explanations sometimes contradict each other!

Intelligent and clearly written, this is a great introduction to some of the ideas and methods of the Talmud. I particularly like the two-pronged approach to explaining selected excerpts with a combination of historical context (very useful, particularly with certain Talmudic excerpts which wouldn't be understandable without the context) and contemporary midrash. Highly recommended for anyone looking to learn more about this foundational text of Judaism.

NO OF PAGES: 368 SUB CAT I: Talmud SUB CAT II: SUB CAT III: DESCRIPTION: Master teachers Michael Katz and Gershon Schwartz make the talmudic passages they teach fully explicable. They have the uncanny ability to extract the enduring relevance of these passages for contemporary men and women.NOTES: SUBTITLE: Lessons For Everyday Living

Talmud