by Hermann L. Strack / Varda Books
Although called an "Introduction..." this book is not for novices, but for people who have already substantial level of familiarity with the subject. As such, it continues to be one of the most widely used advanced level introductory texts to the field. It aims to give objective, factual information concerning the whole of the Talmud and to lead into the study of this literary monument equally remarkable for its origin, compass, contents, and the authority which has been accorded to it.
To the extend possible, the author has striven to let himself be influenced neither by polemical nor by apologetic interests. "I shall consider" the author states in Introduction to the first edition, "myself amply rewarded for my laborious work if I shall succeed to remove many a prejudice, whether with those who are unconditionally hostile to the Talmud or with its over-zealous admirers, and to pave the way for a more just and calm appraisal."
This English translation of this widely used work is to all intents and purposes a sixth edition of the original. It was prepared, according to instructions of the author as transmitted by his widow, from a copy of the fifth German edition revised by the author and marked: “Manuscript ready for the Printer. For the English translation.” The corrections were either noted on the margins or on separate slips. It was also the author’s wish that numerous corrections which he had received from Dr. Samuel Klein of Novo-Zamki, Professor in the Institute of Jewish Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem as well as those contained in Professor Alexander Marx’s review in the Jewish Quarterly Review, New Series, XIII (1922–23), 352–365, should as far as feasible be incorporated in this translation. Moreover, without altering author's own words, the translator only added footnotes containing numerous parenthetical remarks. (The book as the whole contains more then 6,000 footnotes. As a Vardabook, all of them are hot-wired for instant access.) Also, the matter appearing here as Appendices IIV has been taken out of the body of the book and placed at the end to make the book more readable in its English translation, while in no way impairing its usefulness as a work of reference.
Each section of the Introduction is based on a common plan: The text is briefly discussed; variant textual versions of texts are discussed; English translations are noted; and entire books is fully annotated. The book has sections on Rabbinical Hermeneutics and the Oral Tradition. It covers the Mishna, Tosefta, Jerusalem and Babylonian Talmuds as well as the extracanonical tractates. Best of all, it covers all the classical midrashim compilations (midrash). This includes all the halakhic, exegetical and homiletic midrashim.
In re-publishing this work, we are certain that there is not a scholar, who will not be able to learn from it or at least be stimulated in one respect or another. In re-publishing this work in digital format, we are certain that all those who read it will profit way more from it more in terms of saved time and acquisition of knowledge then ever before, when it was available only on the paper.