The Talmud is a sacred text of the Jewish faith—it is the corpus of Jewish civil and ceremonial law and legend.
The word Talmud is short for ‘Talmud Torah,’ which means “study of the Torah” in Hebrew. The Torah is the Hebrew term for the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.)
The Talmud is composed of several volumes of rabbinical discussions about the interpretation of the Biblical text related to Jewish history, philosophy, ethics, and customs—the meaning and conduct of life, in general.
The central part of the Talmud is the Mishnah, a record of the core teachings of the Jewish faith that were previously preserved only orally. Surrounding the Mishnah is the Gemara, the interpretation and commentaries of the Mishnah.
The Talmud has no single author. Instead, it is a collection of several volumes, to which Jewish scholars have added their accumulated knowledge over time since about 220 CE.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by The Talmud
Recommended Reading
- ‘The Essential Talmud‘ by Adin Steinsaltz
- ‘The Talmud: A Selection‘ by Norman Solomon
- ‘Everyman’s Talmud: The Major Teachings of the Rabbinic Sages‘ by Abraham Cohen
- ‘Reference Guide to the Talmud‘ by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz
Inspirational Quotes from the Talmud (Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith)
Who are the pious? The modest. Who are the modest? Those who are bashful, knowing that God sees them.
—The Talmud
Topics: Modesty
A man commits sin in secret; but the Holy One proclaims it openly.
—The Talmud
Topics: Sin
The world stands on three things: on Law, Labor, and Benevolence.
—The Talmud
Topics: Charity
A scholar is greater than a prophet.
—The Talmud
Topics: Wisdom
One seldom meets a man who likes his fellow artist.
—The Talmud
Topics: Jealousy
Consider three things, and thou wilt never fall into sin: remember that there is above thee an All-Seeing Eye, an All-Hearing Ear, and a record of all thy actions.
—The Talmud
A handsome dwelling, a pretty wife, and beautiful furniture, exert a cheering influence upon a man’s spirits.
—The Talmud
Man, be ever soft and pliable like a reed, and not hard and unbending like a cedar.
—The Talmud
Be a disciple of Aaron, loving peace, and pursuing peace.
—The Talmud
Examine the contents, not the bottle.
—The Talmud
The deeper the sorrow the less the tongue has it.
—The Talmud
Topics: Sorrow, Sadness
The liar is worse than the thief.
—The Talmud
Topics: Truth
Study is more meritorious than sacrifice.
—The Talmud
Topics: Wisdom
He who derives his livelihood from the labor of his hands is as great as he who fears God.
—The Talmud
Topics: Labor
He who is ashamed will not easily commit sin.
—The Talmud
Topics: Self-respect
To deserve mercy, practise mercy.
—The Talmud
Topics: Mercy
To accept excuse shows a good disposition.
—The Talmud
Topics: Anger
Even the most righteous shall not attain to so high a place in heaven as the truly repentant.
—The Talmud
Topics: Repentance
Beautiful are the admonitions of those whose lives accord with their teachings.
—The Talmud
Topics: Consistency
The end result of wisdom is… good deeds.
—The Talmud
Topics: Wisdom
The practice of beneficence will assure the maintenance of one’s possessions.
—The Talmud
Topics: Charity
He who honors his father and mother enjoys the fruit in this life, and stores up a treasure for the future.
—The Talmud
An old man (i.e., one entitled to veneration) is only he who has acquired wisdom.
—The Talmud
Topics: Wisdom
Join the company of lions rather than assume the lead among foxes.
—The Talmud
Topics: Friends and Friendship
The value of the words uttered with the lips is determined by the devotion of the heart.
—The Talmud
Topics: Prayer
Pray for the welfare of the government, since if it were not for the awe which it inspires, men would swallow each other alive.
—The Talmud
Topics: Patriotism
The righteous need no monuments. Their deeds are their monuments.
—The Talmud
The noblest of all charities is in enabling the poor to earn a livelihood.
—The Talmud
Topics: Charity
If you add to the truth, you subtract from it.
—The Talmud
Topics: Exaggeration
Would that life were like the shadow cast by a wall or a tree, but it is like the shadow of a bird in flight.
—The Talmud
Topics: Change
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Stephen Samuel Wise American Jewish Rabbi
Joshua L. Liebman American Jewish Rabbi
Bahya ibn Paquda Jewish Philosopher
Corrie Ten Boom Dutch Jewish Humanist
Harold Kushner American Jewish Religious Leader
Moshe Chaim Luzzatto Italian Jewish Rabbi
Moses Mendelssohn German Jewish Philosopher
Nachman of Breslov Ukrainian Jewish Religions Leader
Hyman Judah Schachtel American Jewish Religious Leader
Abraham Joshua Heschel American Jewish Rabbi