Part Third. The Rabbis, Their Teachings : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Rabbi Ammon, of Metz". During the reign of one of the bishops in Metz, there lived a Jew in that city, who was called Rabbi Amnon. He was of illustrious family, of great personal merit, rich and respected by the Bishop and the people. The Bishop...
Ii. Teachings Of The Rabbis. Funeral Serm : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Funeral Sermon over a dead Rabbi". "My lover goes down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to wander about in the garden and pluck roses" (Song of Songs). The world is the garden of my lover, and he my lover is the King of kings. Like a bed...
Part Fourth. Proverbs And Sayings. Part 16 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Proving a Claim". A citizen of Jerusalem travelling through the country was taken very sick at an inn. Feeling that he would not recover, he sent for the landlord and said to him, "I am going the way of all flesh. If after my death any party...
Ii. Teachings Of The Rabbis. Death : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Death". Man is born with his hands clenched; he dies with his hands wide open. Entering life he desires to grasp everything; leaving the world, all that he possessed has slipped away. Even as a fox is man; as a fox which seeing a fine vineyard...
Preface : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], p. v PREFACE. THE object of the following pages is to give to the student and general reader a fair idea of the contents of the Talmud. Some time since the translator was asked how it was that no English translation of the Talmud was in existence...
Part Fourth. Proverbs And Sayings. Part 08 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "The Bride and Bridegroom". There was once a man who pledged his dearest faith to a maiden, beautiful and true. For a time all passed pleasantly, and the maiden lived in happiness. But then the man was called from her side, he left her; long she...
Part First. Biblical History. Chapter Iii : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], p. 50 CHAPTER III. FROM THE BIRTH OF ISAAC TO THE WARS OF SHECHEM. "AND the Lord visited Sarah and she bore a son unto Abraham in his old age." When Isaac was born Abraham prepared a great feast in his honour, and invited thereto all the chiefs...
Part Fourth. Proverbs And Sayings. Part 05 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "The Destruction of Jerusalem". When the guilt of the Israelites grew too great for the forbearance of the Most High, and they refused to listen to the words and warnings of Jeremiah, the prophet left Jerusalem and travelled to the land of Benjam...
Part Fourth. Proverbs And Sayings. Part 12 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Nothing in the World without its Use". David, King of Israel, was once lying upon his couch and many thoughts were passing through his mind. "Of what use in this world is the spider?" thought he; "it but increases the dust and dirt of the world...
Part First. Biblical History. Chapter Iv : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], p. 72 CHAPTER IV. FROM JOSEPH'S YOUTH TO HIS ELEVATION OVER EGYPT. JOSEPH, the son of Jacob and Rachel, did not take part in the war of Shechem: he was but a lad, too young to associate with his brothers. Yet he experienced a desire to emulate...
Part Fourth. Proverbs And Sayings. Part 13 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], p. 309 "The Lawful Heir". A wise Israelite, dwelling some distance from Jerusalem, sent his son to the Holy City to complete his education. During his son's absence the father was taken ill, and feeling that death was upon him he made a will...
Part Second. Biblical Commentaries. V. King : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], p. 192 V. KING SOLOMON, THE WISE. "Seest thou a man that is diligent in his work? Before kings may he place himself; let him not place himself before obscure men"." (Prov. 22: 29.) In this verse Solomon alludes to himself. He built the holy temple...
Part Fourth. Proverbs And Sayings. Part 09 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Trust in God". Rabbi Jochanan, the son of Levi, fasted and prayed to the Lord that he might be permitted to gaze on the angel p. 314 [paragraph continues] Elijah, he who had ascended alive to heaven. God granted his prayer, and in the semblance...
Part Fourth. Proverbs And Sayings. Part 17 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "The Emperor and the Aged Man". The Emperor Adrian, passing through the streets of Tiberias, noticed a very old man planting a fig tree, and pausing, said to him: "Wherefore plant that tree? If thou didst labour in thy youth, thou shouldst now have...
Part First. Biblical History. Chapter Ii : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], p. 30 CHAPTER II. FROM THE BIRTH OF ABRAM TO THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH. THERACH, the son of Nahor, was the chief officer of King Nimrod, and a great favourite with his royal master; and when his wife Amtheta, the daughter of Karnebo...
Part Fourth. Proverbs And Sayings. Part 03 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Hannah and her Seven Sons". During the terrible times which followed the fall of the Holy City, Hannah and her seven sons were cast into prison. According to their ages they were brought before the tyrant conqueror, and commanded to pay homage...
Part Fourth. Proverbs And Sayings. Part 07 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Truth". When God was about to create man the angels gathered about him. Some of them opening their lips exclaimed, "Create, oh God, a being who shall praise Thee from earth even as we in heaven sing Thy glory." But others said: "Hear us, Almighty...
Part Fourth. Proverbs And Sayings. Part 11 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "The Reward of Faith". The Israelites were commanded to visit Jerusalem on three festivals. It happened upon one occasion that there was a scarcity of water in the city. One of the people called upon a certain nobleman who was the owner of three...
Part Second. Biblical Commentaries. Chapter : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], p. 155 CHAPTER II THE TEN PLAGUES. "Thus hath said the Lord, 'By this thou shalt know that I am the lord; behold I will smile.... the waters of the river, and they shall be turned to blood.'" When a human being designs to injure another, or to take...
Part Fourth. Proverbs And Sayings. Part 15 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "A Payment with Interest". A certain man, a native of Athina (a city near Jerusalem), visited the city of Jerusalem, and after leaving it, ridiculed the place and its inhabitants. The Jerusalemites were very wroth at being made the subjects of his...
Part Second. Biblical Commentaries. Iii : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], p. 163 III. THE DEATH OF MOSES. "The Lord said to Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die"." The death of Moses is alluded to, in the Bible, ten times. "Thy days approach that thou must die." (Deut. 31: 14.) "And thou shalt die...
Part Third. The Rabbis, Their Teachings. Part 02 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Maimonides". Moses Maimonides, one of the greatest of Jewish commentators, and a descendant of Rabbi Judah, the compiler of the "Mishna", was born in the city of Cordova, Spain, March 30th, 1135. His father was somewhat advanced in p. 225 life...
Part Fifth. Civil And Criminal Law The Holy. Part 05 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "New Year, or the Day of Memorial". On the first day of the seventh month, "Tishri" (October), is the commemoration of the creation of the world. Then the cornet is blown to announce to the people that a new year has begun its course, and to warn...
Part Fourth. Proverbs And Sayings : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], p. 286 PART FOURTH. PROVERBS AND SAYINGS OF THE RABBIS, LEGENDS, be discreet. Do not place a blemish on thine own flesh. Attend no auctions if thou hast no money. Rather skin a carcass for pay, in the public streets, than lie idly dependent...
Ii. Teachings Of The Rabbis. Rewards : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Rewards and Punishments". Samson sinned against the Lord through his "eyes", as it is written, "I have seen a woman of the daughters of the Philistines.... This one take for me, for she pleaseth in my "eyes" (Judges 14: 3). Therefore through his...
Part Third. The Rabbis, Their Teachings. Part 06 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Rabbi Ishmael, the High Priest". Rabbi Ishmael was one of the most prominent and excellent among the fathers of the Talmudical literature. His doctrines are pure, his ideas sublime, and his explanations clear and concise. He died a martyr to Rom...
Ii. Teachings Of The Rabbis. Prayer : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Prayer". Bless God for the good as well as for the evil. When you hear of a death say, "Blessed is the righteous Judge." Prayer is Israel's only weapon, a weapon inherited from its fathers, a weapon proved in a thousand battles. Even when...
Ii. Teachings Of The Rabbis. Honour Thy Parents : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Honour thy Parents". The Bible makes man's parents equally deserving, with the Most High, of his honour and reverence. "Honour" thy p. 242 father and thy mother," is one of the precepts of the Decalogue, and it is also written, "Honour" God...
Iii. Incidents In The Lives Of The Rabbis. Part 02 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], p. 273 "Elishah ben Abuyah". Elishah ben Abuyah, a most learned man, became in after-life an apostate. Rabbi Meir had been one of his pupils, and he never failed in the great love which he bore for his teacher. It happened upon one occasion when...
Ii. Teachings Of The Rabbis. Trades : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Trades". Rabbi Meir said, "When a man teaches his son a trade, he should pray to the Possessor of the world, the Dispenser of wealth and poverty; for in every trade and pursuit of life both the rich and the poor are to be found. It is folly...
Part Third. The Rabbis, Their Teachings. Part 08 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], p. 205 PART THIRD. THE RABBIS, THEIR TEACHINGS AND INCIDENTS IN THEIR LIVES. I. "Rabbi Judah, the "Chief." RABBI JUDAH, the holy, sometimes called, by reason of his eminence, simply "Rabbi," received his education in the different colleges...
Part First. Biblical History. Chapter V : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], p. 92 CHAPTER V. JOSEPH'S GREATNESS AND JACOB'S ENTRY INTO EGYPT. AND it came to pass after this, that Joseph saw Osnath, the daughter of Potipharah, a pearl among the beauties of the land, and he loved her and she became his wife. And Joseph w...
Part Fifth. Civil And Criminal Law The Holy. Part 07 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], p. 332 "Passover". The feast of unleavened bread, or "Passover," begins upon the evening of the 14th day of "Nissan" (April), and was instituted in commemoration of our ancestors' redemption from Egypt, a memorial for ever. During its continuance...
Part Fifth. Civil And Criminal Law The Holy. Part 03 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Feast of Tabernacles". The Feast of Tabernacles begins on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, "Tishri" (October), and during its continuance, seven days, the Israelites are commanded to dwell in tabernacles or booths. This is designed to keep...
Part First. Biblical History. Chapter Vi : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], p. 113 CHAPTER VI. DEATH OF JACOB AND HIS SONS--MOSES--THE DELIVERANCE FROM EGYPT. JACOB lived in the land of Egypt for seventeen years, and all the years of his life were one hundred and forty-seven. And Jacob grew very sick, and being old...
Part Third. The Rabbis, Their Teachings. Part 04 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Hillel Hannasi". Hillel, "the chief of Israel," was the descendant of a renowned family; his father was of the tribe of Benjamin, while his mother was a lineal descendant of King David. He lived about a hundred years before the destructi...
Iii. Incidents In The Lives Of The Rabbis. Part 03 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Rabbi Simon". Rabbi Judah, Rabbi Joseh, and Rabbi Simon were conversing one day, when Judah ben Gerim entered the apartment and sat down with the three. Rabbi Judah was speaking in a complimentary strain of the Gentiles (Romans). "See," said he...
Part Fifth. Civil And Criminal Law The Holy : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Purim". This festival, occurring on the fourteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar (March), is to commemorate the deliverance of the Hebrews from the wiles of Haman, through the God-aided means of Mordecai and Esther. Although the Holy One...
Iii. Incidents In The Lives Of The Rabbis : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], p. 266 III. INCIDENTS IN THE LIVES OF THE RABBIS. "Rabbi Akiba". IT is man's duty to thank God for the occurrence of evil even as for the occurrence of good, as it is written, "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy...
Part Second. Biblical Commentaries. Iv : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], p. 166 IV. THE BOOK OF ESTHER. AND it came to pass when Nebuchadnezzar died, that his son, Evil-Merodach, claimed the kingdom. But the people refused to anoint him as ruler, and they said to him: "Behold, once before was thy father removed...
Part First. Biblical History. Chapter I : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], p. 13 PART FIRST. BIBLICAL HISTORY CHAPTER I. FROM CAIN AND ABEL TO THE DESTRUCTION OF BABEL'S TOWER. AND Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore him two sons and three daughters. The first-born she called "Cain," saying, "I have gotten...
Part Third. The Rabbis, Their Teachings. Part 05 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Rabbi Meir". "All that God made was very good." Rabbi Simon, the son of Eleazer, uses the words "very good" in reference to sleep. "Man sleeps," says he, "and in a few hours he gains renewed strength." Rabbi Samuel, son of Nachman, said, "...
Introduction : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], p. 1 INTRODUCTION. THE TALMUD, ITS NATURE AND SCOPE, WITH A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF ITS COMPILATION. THE "Talmud" is a collection of early Biblical discussions, with the comments of generations of teachers who devoted their lives to the study...
Part Fifth. Civil And Criminal Law The Holy. Part 02 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Hannuckah", The Feast of Dedication". This festival is observed for eight days during the ninth month "Kislev" (December), and commemorates the dedication of the Temple after it had been defiled by Antiochus Epiphanes, whose armies were overthrown...
Part Fifth. Civil And Criminal Law The Holy. Part 06 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Pentecost". The Feast of Weeks, or "Pentecost," occurs upon the sixth day of the third month, "Sivan" (June). It is called the Feast of Weeks because forty-nine days, or seven weeks, duly numbered, elapse between the second day of Passover, when...
Part Second. Biblical Commentaries. I : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], p. 142 PART SECOND. SPECIMENS OF BIBLICAL COMMENTARIES. I. THE DELIVERANCE FROM EGYPT. "Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and tarried in the land of Midian, and sat down by a well"." THREE of the prominent Biblical characters met their wives...
Part Fifth. Civil And Criminal Law The Holy. Part 08 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], p. 329 PART FIFTH. CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LAW--THE HOLY DAYS. "WHEN do justice and goodwill meet? When the contending parties can be made to peaceably agree." To accomplish this end was the great aim of the ancient Jewish laws, but a marked distincti...
Part Third. The Rabbis, Their Teachings. Part 07 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Simon, the Righteous". Simon was performing the functions of High Priest during the triumphal career of Alexander, about the year 3000. The sons of Judah found no cause to oppose this warrior, and when, after his first victories over the Persi...
Ii. Teachings Of The Rabbis. The Fear Of God : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "The Fear of God". The son of Rabbi Hunnah said, "He who possesses a knowledge of God's law, without the fear of Him, is as one who has been intrusted with the inner keys of a treasury, but from whom the outer ones are withheld." Rabbi Alexander...
Part Fifth. Civil And Criminal Law The Holy. Part 04 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "The Day of Atonement". The hearts of all who fear God should tremble with the reflection that all the deeds of the creature are known to the Creator, and will be by Him accounted to them for good or evil. God is ready at all times to acknowledge...
Ii. Teachings Of The Rabbis. Meekness : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Meekness". We find in the Bible many instances of the pleasure which meekness and humility in the creature affords the Great Creator. The noblest of our ancestors were those who were free from self-pride. Abraham, the pure in heart, knew well he...
Part Third. The Rabbis, Their Teachings. Part 03 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Rashi". "Ra"bbenu "Sh"elomo "Y"itzchaki (Our teacher, Solomon the p. 223 son of Isaac), generally known as "Rashi", from the initial letters of his name, was born about the year 1040 in Troyes, France. As a lad, his progress was remarkable; he...
Ii. Teachings Of The Rabbis. Benevolence : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], p. 231 II. TEACHINGS OF THE RABBIS. "Benevolence". ACCORDING to a proverb of the fathers, benevolence is one of the pillars upon which the world rests. "The world," said they, "is sustained by virtue of three things,--the law, divine worship...
Part Fourth. Proverbs And Sayings. Part 06 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "The Destruction of Bithar". It was customary in Bithar when a child was born for the parents to plant a young cedar tree, to grow up with the infant. It happened upon one occasion when the daughter of the emperor was riding through the city, th...
Part Fourth. Proverbs And Sayings. Part 02 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "The Desert Island". A very wealthy man, who was of a kind, benevolent disposition, desired to make his slave happy. He gave him, therefore, his freedom, and presented him with a shipload of merchandise. "Go," said he, "sail to different countries...
Part Fourth. Proverbs And Sayings. Part 14 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "The Weasel and the Well". A young man, upon his journeys through the country, fell in with a young woman, and they became mutually attached. When the young man was obliged to leave the neighbour-hood of the damsel's residence, they met to say...
Part Fourth. Proverbs And Sayings. Part 10 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "Abtinoss and Garmah". There was a certain family, the family of Abtinoss, the members of which were learned in the art of preparing the p. 313 incense used in the service. Their knowledge they refused to impart to others, and the directors...
Title Page : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], THE TALMUD SELECTIONS FROM THE CONTENTS OF THAT ANCIENT BOOK, ITS COMMENTARIES, TEACHINGS, POETRY, AND LEGENDS. ALSO, Brief Sketches Of The Men Who Made And Commented Upon It. TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL BY H. POLANO, PROFESSOR OF THE HEBREW...
Ii. Teachings Of The Rabbis. The Sabbath : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "The Sabbath". Rabbi Jochanan said, in the name of Rabbi Joseh, "To those who delight in the Sabbath shall God give inheritance without end. As it is written, 'Then shalt thou find delight in the Lord, but as it was promised to Jacob, 'And thou...
Untitled : * If you have browsed the Rodkinson 10 volume abridged translation of the Talmud (the full text of which is also available at sacred-texts), you probably know that the work is a vast expanse of wisdom literature, with huge stretches of incredibly dry legal debates and minutiae interposed with rich...
Part Fourth. Proverbs And Sayings. Part 04 : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], p. 322 "Second Destruction of Jerusalem". Through Kamtzah and Bar Kamtzah was Jerusalem destroyed; and thus it happened. A certain man made a feast; he was a friend of Kamtzah, but Bar Kamtzah he hated. He sent a messenger to Kamtzah with...
Ii. Teachings Of The Rabbis. The Law And Its Study : * "The Talmud: Selections", by H. Polano, [1876], "The Law and its Study". "The Lord created me as the beginning of his way" (Prov. 8: 22). This means that God created the law before he created the world. Many sages have made their lives as black as the raven, that is, cruel to themselves...