Introduction to the Talmud - Schottenstein

History, Personalities, and Background

Includes writings on:

An explanation of the basic structure of Talmudic discussions.

Biographies of hundreds of the Tannaim and Amoraim.
Major historical documents discussing the origin of the Mishnah and Gemara, including Rambam's Introduction to Yad Chazakah and to his Commentary on the Mishnah, with both Hebrew text and English translation, and explanatory notes.
The Iggeret Rav Sherira Gaon in Aramaic and English translation, with explanatory notes. The classic 10th century document describes how the Mishnah and Gemara were formulated and is almost unknown to most students of the Torah.
A readable narrative history of the Gemara era, including the political and social world of Talmudic times in both Eretz Yisrael and Bavel as well as the history of the Yeshivot of the Tannaim and the Amoraim.
A brief essay on the history of the printings of the Talmud.
A description of the layout of the classic Vilna page used in the Artscroll Schottenstein editions.
What is the Oral Law and what is its relationship to the Written Torah?
An explanation of the 13 Middot by which the Written Torah is expounded, with clear examples of each one.

Hardcover - compact medium 'Daf Yomi' size

Full-size 8.5X11'' edition available for 189NIS VAT included