To the Editor:
I read with great interest Rabbi Adam Mintz’ “Words, Meaning and Spirit. The Talmud in Translation,” The Torah U-Madda Journal 5 (1994).
Rabbi Mintz deals largely with the attitude of leading rabbis to the translation of the Talmud and it is probably for this reason that he did not mention a Hebrew translation of three tractates of the Babylonian Talmud which was published in Israel between 1952 and 1960. This translation did not elicit any public comment by rabbinic authorities.
The Razal Company was founded in the 1940s for the purpose of publishing the Babylonian Talmud with a Hebrew translation, accompanied by a new commentary, variant readings and source reference. The late Prof. Jacob Nachum Epstein Professor of Talmud at the Hebrew University, was named general editor. In all, three tractates were published: Baba Kamma, translated and explained by Dr. Ezra Zion Melamed (1952); Baba Batra, translated and explained by Prof. Shraga Abramson (1958) and Baba Mezia, translated and explained by Dr. Moses Nahum Zobel and Prof . Hayyim Zalman Dimitrovksy, and edited by Dr. E.Z. Melamed (1960). The volumes in which the text of the Talmud and the Hebrew translation appear side by side were published by the Dvir and Massada publishing houses. Prof. Epstein, who died in 1952, edited Baba Kamma and examined the first four chapters of the Baba Batra edition.
The late Prof. Mordecai Margaliot, author and editor, authority on Midrashic and early rabbinic literature told me that the had been among the first to be approached by Prof. Epstein to collaborate on this project and was asked to prepare a sample translation. During a visit to the Hazon Ish Z”TL – Prof. Margaliot’s father was on very friendly terms with him – the latter asked him about his work and studies. When told of the project to translate the Talmud into Hebrew, the Hazon Ish expressed his opposition to the project.
He said, “Zol’n zei nisht meinen as men ken lernen Gemore un a rebben” (Let them – people – not believe that one can study the Talmud without a teacher). Follwing his conversation with the Hazon Ish Z”TL, Prof. Margaliot withdrew from the project.
The scope of Rabbi Mintz’ field study did not call for a listing of all the various translations of the Talmud. May I, therefore, be permitted to mention that besides Rabbi Steinsaltz’s edition, another Hebrew translation of the Talmud has been published in Israel: Talmud Bavli ‘im Targum Ivri Meforash by Shimon Ben Shemen. In this edition, the Talmudic text is provided with punctuation marks and is accompanied by an elucidated Hebrew translation. Other features designed to help the student include translations of Aramaic words and biographical notes about Tannaim and Amoraim.
Only a few tractates of this edition have appeared thus far. I have seen the following: Taanit (1966) Mo’ed Katan (1967) Megillah (1967), Hagigah (1968), Baba Kamma (1971) and Baba Mezia (1978) and Baba Batra (2 vols., 1979-1981).
In addition, several other Hebrew translations have appeared. Rabbi Nissim Benjamin Ohana (1882-1962) was a native of Algeria, served as a rabbi in various countries, and for the last 15 years of his life was Sefardi Chief Rabbi of Haifa. He translated into Hebrew the tractates Ketubot, Kiddushin, Baba Kamma, Baba Mezia and Baba Batra of the Babylonia Talmud. It seems however that only Kiddushin (1968), Ketubot (1969) and Baba Mezia (1972) were printed. These editions feature only the translated text together with explanatory notes (I have seen only the translations of Ketubot and Kiddushin).
In 1968, the “Organizations for Talmud-Illustration and Oral-Tora Exploration” (this is the official English title of that body) of Tel Aviv published a Hebrew translation of tractate Bezah (Yom Tov) of the Babylonian Talmud. This edition features reproductions of the original Talmud pages (with the Talmudic text fully vocalized) and on opposite pages, the Hebrew translation of the text, accompanied by a commentary and illustrations. The translation and commentary were prepared by Abraham Arazi. The volume also contains special features, some in English to help the student. Six years later the organization published a translation of the tractate Rosh Hashanah in the same format. The translation and commentary were prepared by Shemuel Dov Gevaryahu-Gottesman with E. Rubin as editor. The special features in Hebrew include an essay on the Hebrew calendar. Rabbi Y.Y. Baruch Rabinowitz (Grand Rabbi of Munkacz), Chief Rabbi of Holon served as chairman of the editorial board of both volumes. Prominent rabbis who were associated with the project include the late Rabbi I.Y. Unterman, Chief Rabbi of Israel and the late Rabbi Dr. Kalman Kahana Polaei Agudat Israel leader.
In 5733 (1972-73), Mordecai Levanon published Tractate Berakot of the Babylonian Talmud with a Hebrew translation, notes and explanations in Jerusalem. The Talmudic text (with Rashi and Tosafot) and the Hebrew translation with notes and explanations were printed on opposite pages. The author mentions in his introduction that, in 1938-1939, a Hebrew translation of tractate Berakhot by Rabbi Jozef Fromowicz was printed in Warsaw. (A copy of that edition is found in the New York Public Library.) The original text (in smaller type) and the Hebrew translation (in larger type) are printed side by side. The Hebrew translation is accompanied by a commentary. Some additional features to help the student are printed at the end of the volume.
I have listed here only Hebrew translations of entire Talmudic tractates.
Sincerely,
Tovia Preschel
Brooklyn, New York
Torah U-Mada Journal p. 205