When we come to the Babylonian Gemara, we are dealing with what most people understand when they speak or write of the Talmud. Its birthplace, Babylonia, was an autonomous Jewish centre for a longer period than any other land; namely, from soon after 586 before the Christian era to the year 1040 after the Christian era - 1626 years.

Man must be a co-worker with God in making this earth a garden.

Not indolence but congenial work is man's Divinely allotted portion.

In spite of the pangs of travail, the longing for motherhood remains the most powerful instinct in woman.

Everything in the Universe was as the Creator willed it - nothing superfluous, nothing lacking - a harmony.

Men of all lands and climes are brothers.

Life is a frail and transitory thing, but it has been given a higher purpose and dignity through the revelation of God's Teaching to Israel, and the resulting dedication of an entire people to God's service.