Physical Description

[1], IV, 20; [1], XXVI, 39: 75, xxviii-xix; [1], 36, xviii-xiii, [2] pp., quarto, 263:170 mm., light age staining, some uncut margins. A very good copy bound in the original cloth boards, rubbed.          

Detailed Description   

Rodkinson’s objective was to translate the entire Talmud, not only to making it accessible to English speakers, but also to transform that “chaotic” work, through careful editing, into “a readable, intelligible work.” The translation was supported by Dr. Isaac Mayer Wise, (1819-1900) President of Hebrew Union College (HUC), and, from 1889 to his death, president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, who wrote in a letter dated March 24, 1896, “I beg leave to testify herewith that I have carefully read and revised the English translation of this volume of the ‘Tract Sabbath,’ Rodkinson=s reconstruction of the original text of the Talmud. The translation is correct, almost literal, where the English idiom permitted it.” Nevertheless, most reviewers were highly critical. Kaufman Kohler (1843-1926), a leader of the radical branch of Reform Judaism and, from 1903 to 1921, president of HUC, wrote that he “must entirely disagree with the venerable President of the Cincinnati College,” that is, Dr. Wise, for “in almost every uncommon word a degree of ignorance is displayed which is simply appalling.” Nevertheless, the Rodkinson New Talmud is important as a pioneer effort.

Michael Levi Rodkinson (1845-1904) was the scion of a distinguished Hassidic family who became a radical proponent of haskalah at an early age. He was a prolific writer. In addition to his New Talmud, he collected, wrote, published, and perhaps fabricated, Hasidic tales. He was, as the editor of Hebrew journals, among the pioneers of the Hebrew press, and the author of numerous monographs.

Reference Description   

Heller