Since religion in general and Judaism in particular are relevant in the twenty-first century, this book serves as an assessment of the Talmud's role in our religious and educational experience. This collection of essays demonstrates that the two-thousand-year-old Talmud remains the indispensable and foundational text for Jewish study. Eminent scholars from Israel and North America relate their encounters with this ancient, complex source in an accessible and personal manner.

The Talmud is the repository of thousands of years of Jewish wisdom. It is a conglomerate of law, legend, and philosophy, a blend of unique logic and shrewd pragmatism, of history and science, of anecdotes and humor. Unfortunately, its sometimes complex subject matter often seems irrelevant in today's world. In this edited volume, sixteen eminent North American and Israeli scholars from several schools of Jewish thought grapple with the text and tradition of Talmud, talking personally about their own reasons for studying it. Each of these scholars and teachers believes that Talmud is indispensible to any serious study of modern Judaism and so each essay challenges the reader to engage in his or her own individual journey of discovery. The diverse feminist, rabbinic, educational, and philosophical approaches in this collection are as varied as the contributors' experiences. Their essays are accessible, personal accounts of their individual discovery of the Talmud, reflecting the vitality and profundity of modern religious thought and experience.

Chapter 1 Talmud Introduction
Part 2 Part I: Women's Voices
Chapter 3 Chapter 1: Why Study Talmud in the 21st Century: The View from a Large Public University; Or, Studying Talmud as a Critical Thinker
Chapter 4 Chapter 2: Female Alterity and Divine Compassion: Reading the Talmud from the Perspective of Gender
Chapter 5 Chapter 3: Ancient Voices
Chapter 6 Chapter 4: Talmud Study as a Religious Practice
Chapter 7 Chapter 5: An Opened Book: Talmud Study by Women in the 21st Century
Part 8 Part II: Teaching Talmud
Chapter 9 Chapter 6: The Dialectics of the Divine Commanding Voice: Values, Meaning and Culture in the Talmud
Chapter 10 Chapter 7: "Why Study Talmud in the Twenty-First Century?"
Part 11 Part III: Academics Respond
Chapter 12 Chapter 8: The Meaning and Purpose of Contemporary Talmud Study
Chapter 13 Chapter 9: Why Study Talmud?*
Chapter 14 Chapter 10: Why Study Talmud: Wellsprings of Torah and the Individual Soul
Chapter 15 Chapter 11: Why I Study Talmud
Chapter 16 Chapter 12: The Meaning and Significance of New Talmudic Insights
Chapter 17 Chapter 13: Talmudic Stories and their Rewards
Chapter 18 Chapter 14: The Shiva
Chapter 19 Chapter 15: Engaging Rabbinic Literature: Four Texts
Part 20 Part IV: A Philosopher's Approach
Chapter 21 Chapter 16: The Talmud as a Source for Philosophical Reflection