The sun., 1919-01-30
TALMUD IS TO Be
PRINTED IN AMERICA
Soaking of wilma and Warsaw
Brings It's Publication to
New World.

Inc SaCklng or arsaW anu wilma III
Russia by the German troops in 1916
has brought under American auspices
the publication of the ancient books OF
the Talmud the holy writ OF the ortho-
dox Jews, it became known yesterday.
For sixty years wilma had been the
publishing centre for the orthodox Jews
Of the world and in later years a print
ing shop was opened in Warsaw for
maintaining the comparatively small
supply OF the books in existence. The
Germans in their acute need Cor brass
and lead for bullet moulding plundered
the tao cities and the printing plates of
the Talmud were melted up with the rest
Of the loot.
VIII Be Printed in Montreal.
Lest the publication OF the Talmud
Into by the Union OF Orthodox Rabbis
OF the United States and Canada for an
edition OF 1000 copies to be made in
Montreal. Owing TO the tremendous
labor involved in an attempt to set UP
the pages in type New York firms re-
fused tho contract. The committee ap-
preciated that it would be labor OF
years under tho supervision OF the best
Talmudic scholars to bring out an
American edition. and a more modern
expedient was decided upon. Photo
graphic plates now are being made of
each page of the book and by printing
from these plates It will be possible to
bring out the edition In eighteen months.
The contract was let to firm in Mon
treal, which Is the publishing company
OF a Jewish journal. at cost of $780,
600. Isaac Allen, ali attorney AZ 1872
Nassau street, is counsel for the rab-
hirical union engaged in the project. and
has directed arrangements for the pub
LEGATION.
The publication OF the Romm text
at wilma was accomplished after thirty
years OF labor. The type for the $500
pages. 10 by Is inches IN size, was set
by hand In several scripts and In al
least two languages. The Tslnud con-
s!sts of the mishna. or scriptural book
in pure Hebrew text. and the gemara. OF
| commentary. In Hebrew and Chaldaic
The labor Of obtaining proper type and
the proof reading that required the eff.
forts OF the best scholars, proved ire
mendous task.
| Only 800 Sets in America.
For fear then that the type Nigh
! be destroyed or come to accident, plate.
were made with copper facing, and from
| these the printing of the last thirt!
! years has been made. Virtually all tn,
copies OF the Talmud in America came
| from the Romm press al wilma. Mr.
| Allen said yesterday that there arr
| probably not more than 400 sets II
| America, OF eighteen or twenty volume
| each.
The multiplication OF orthodo,
schools, or yeshlvoth, in this country Ii
| the last few years. he said, has, created
demand for the Talmud which coul,
| be met only by restoring the edition
| Mr.. Allen said that the rabhinical uniol
! Is fostering no unusual sentiment /,
bringing out the edition, but he feel
! that a more complete return 10 the oil,
studies of the Jewish church Is bein,
made. The Tamudic doctrines Away
will be essential to the orthodox Jew
! ish faith. he said.
| II is proposed to distribute more thai
half OF the coming edition in America
: Probably 500 copies or more will com
! 80 this city. They viii be sold fvr SiG
each 4 de luxe edition will be sol!
! for $3.50 each, Any excess received fror
the sales will he turned into a pensio
| fund for INDECENT rabbis. Among tn
! New Workers who are contributing I
the publishing fund are Harry FTsche
| Joseph Polstei1 Samuel Rottenberl
Moses Ginsberg and Joseph H. Coher
president of Beth Israel Hospital.