Ein Yaakov

Ein Yaakov ( _he. עין יעקב) is a compilation of all the Aggadic material in the Talmud together with commentaries. Its introduction contains an account of the history of Talmudic censorship and the term Gemara. It was compiled by Jacob ibn Habib and (after his death) by his son Rabbi Levi ibn Habib.

An English version in 5 volumes appeared in 1921, prepared by Rabbi Shmuel Tzvi - Hirsch Glick of Chicago. It presents the original text on the right column of each page, with the corresponding English version to its left. It doesn't include any of the commentaries that appear in the classic version, but Rabbi Glick's translation and accompanying footnotes suffice for comprehension.

Another English translation, by Avraham Yaakov Finkel, titled Ein Yaakov: The Ethical and Inspirational Teachings of the Talmud, was compiled in one volume.

What is the 'Aggadah'?

The Aggadah consists of the inspirational and ethical teachings of the Talmud. These legends and stories illustrate the character of the great Rabbinic Sages. The Rabbis come alive as they expound, exhort, encourage the downtrodden, negotiate with Roman emperors and generals, and help the poor, sick and oppressed. These stories extend to every sphere of life, from ethics to astronomy, mysticism to marriage, and medicine. These anecdotes show that the Sages were not just thinkers and philosophers but saintly individuals whose qualities we should emulate.

About the Translator: Avraham Yaakov Finkel was born in Basel, Switzerland and lived in the Hague, Netherlands until 1942, when he was deported to Bergen-Belsen by the Nazis. He authored of a number of significant volumes, including "The Essential Maimonides", "Great Chasidic Masters", and "The Responsa Anthology".