NLEResources.com researched several educational resources available to rabbis, educators and students to learn and teach Tosfos. We presented the developers of English language Tosfos learning resources with a series of questions to provide insight into how rabbis, educators, and their students can benefit from online and printed Tosfos resources.
Their responses are below. In addition, we included a brief review of three Hebrew language online and printed Tosfos learning resources.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE TOSFOS RESOURCES:
I. Kollel Iyun HaDaf, Rabbi Mordecai Kornfeld, WWW.DAFYOMI.CO.IL
The goal of Kollel Iyun Hadaf is to make Talmud study in general, and Dafyomi study in particular, accessible to any Jew who wishes to immerse himself in the study of the Talmud. Over the past 20 years, the Kollel has put together one of the most popular Talmud websites in the world, near the top of just about every web-search on Dafyomi or Talmud or Gemara, amassing some 3 million hits – tens of thousands of unique visitors – monthly, with resources on the entire Talmud in the form of self-test review quizzes, translations and explanatory notes, in-depth insights, outline-form style summaries of each section, and much more.
One of our latest projects has been to translate and explicate Tosfos for the entire Shas, for beginners with some Talmud background to more experienced scholars who prefer English over Hebrew. The Kollel plans to reach that goal by March 2017 at the latest, but our Tosfos translations are already in place for 9/10th’s of the Talmud, and easily accessible to all, free of charge, at our website www.dafyomi.co.il . Just click on the Talmud tab on the left, choose the Maseches of your choice, and click on “Tosfos translations. (If you don’t see such a tab, it is possible that we haven’t yet put up that Maseches – but you can send in a note to the Kollel just to be sure.)
The htm-based Tosfos translations include the text of Tosfos, line by line (or more accurately point by point), followed by a nearly word-for-word English translation and, if necessary, background information or a brief explanation of the intention of Tosfos. Each Tosfos is preceded by a “Summary” line, explaining the intent of the Tosfos, and each point of the Tosfos is preceded by an explanatory word such as “Question:” or “Answer#1” or “Rebuttal” etc., making the flow of the Tosfos graphically apparent. The works can be ordered from the Kollel as softcover printed volumes as well, for a token printing and shipping fee.
Another resource – in Hebrew – that might interest Tosfos scholars is our Hebrew Charts (טבלאות) for each Daf, where we summarize not only the Gemara in chart form, but even the arguments between Rashi and Tosfos. All of this is available free of charge at www.dafyomi.co.il .
The staff of Kollel Iyun Hadaf is always available to answer questions, so keep in mind that no question is too simple – or too difficult – to be handled by our experienced staff of Talmidei Chachamim (mostly in Israel, but some in Chu’l as well). At the very least, we can refer you to someone who discusses the question more in depth.
Click here to view an example of Tosfos by Kollel Iyun Hadaf on Bava Metzia.
II. RABBIKOSMAN.COM by Rabbi Avrohom Kosman:
1. Overview and Background: When was your resource first published and is the project still in progress?
We started Master Tosfos about six years ago in response to a father who had to learn Perek Hakonais (6th Perek of Bava Kama) with his son, and the father as a baal teshuva did not have a background in tosfos. What`s unique about this project is the delivery, we are clear and succinct so that an average sized Tosfos is covered in just five minutes. We are about to complete our 7th mesecta.
For whom are your Tosfos resources intended?
I see that magidai shiurim, baala-batim (including a heart surgeon who eats these Tosfos shiurim for breakfast and orders everything in sight we have) baalai teshuva and yeshiva bochurim seem to come back again and again to order.
What level of learning background is required to benefit from these resources?
It is for those who are ready to go beyond just the gemara. We also have a project called Master Rashi to assist those who struggle to read Rashi inside.
2. What is the format of your Tosfos resources? a) Is it a book, downloadable PDF’s, a website, CD/audio? b) Please describe the nature of your translation of Tosfos: A loose translation? Close to word for word? Do you include the Hebrew texts?
Just an audio shiur, that one can download off the website for a nominal fee.
Each word is slowly read and translated-elucidated inside.
Each Tosfos is a separate file, so if for example you want one particular Tosfos on Daf 15b, you click on the folder (Daf 15) and there you have a choice of the different Tosfos (15a-01 15a-02 15b-01 etc.)
3. What is your educational approach?
Keep it simple.
How do you present or describe the question and answers of each Tosfos?
I try to explain what is bothering Tosfos.
Do you go beyond the p’shot?
Not really, though a Maharsha or Tosfos HaRosh are sometimes crucial for pshat.
Do you explain machlokosim Rashi/Tosfos?
We try to point them out, but do not get into what the machlokes centers on.
Do you fill in with background information that might be necessary to understand the Tosfos?
Perhaps a strength this project has, is that it is available in one of two formats:
- As part of a gemara Rashi-Tosfos shiur.
- Just as a Tosfos shiur, many people just buy the Tosfos. This requires we make a clear summary of the gemara as we begin the Tosfos.
To get a clear succinct summary in order to introduce the Tosfos is almost as hard as the actual Tosfos.
Do you add some lumdus for selected sugiyas?
We try to avoid it.
4. How much of Tosfos on Shas have you done? Please list the completed masechtas — and for partial masechtas — which perakim, have you published Tosfos translations and elucidations?
Fully completed we have Brachos. Makkos, Gittin, Kidushin, Bava Kama, Bava Metzia and we are 2 months away from finishing Yevamos.
In addition we have completed the first Perek of Yoma.
Another product we have but it is not yet for sale, is the Kitzur Tosfos, a summary of each Tosfos outside – this we have on the mesechtos mentioned above.
5. Feedback: Can you please share some feedback from rabbis and students who have benefited from your Tosfos resources?
I know a choshuva baalabus who was learning Shabbos and wanted the Master Tosfos shiur.
Shabbos was not on the immediate list but we were learning Shabbos “biyun” in the yeshiva, so I recorded the first four blatt of the mesecta for him.
Sure enough he was back, “Please record some more, I need to go veiter.” Unfortunately I could not oblige.
A maggid shiur from a high school tried to get the learning schedule of the yeshiva changed so they could use the shiurim we had available. He would order 9 copies of each perek for his boys.
A rav was learning Brachos with the Tosfos shiur and sent me a kashya by e-mail. I has just met him (for the first time) at a bus stop.
I wrote him, even though I avoid speaking in learning on a topic I am not presently “holding in,” since we just met, I will try to get back into the Tosfos for him, and then I sent him a reply.
6. Ordering: How can our readers access, download or order your Tosfos resources?
Just go to RABBIKOSMAN.COM
Then click on either the Master Tosfos category or Master Rashi and Tosfos category.
I feel I have been sent down to this planet for this project.
III. TOSFOSINENGLISH.COM by Rabbi Ephraim Piekarski
1. Overview and Background: When was your resource first published and is the project still in progress? For whom is your Tosfos resource intended? What level of learning background is required to benefit from this resource?
The first TIE (Tosfos In English) was published in 2007 on the first blatt of Masechet Gittin. Since then,TIE is available for prokim in the following masechtot: Bovo Kamma, Bove Metzia, Bovo Basra, Gittin, Kidushin, Kesubos, Shabbos and P’sochim. We are continually adding more Tosfos. TIE is intended mainly for yeshiva students in the mesivta and beis hamidrash who may be experiencing some difficulty with dealing with Tosfos. However I received much feedback from Baalei Batim who find TIE very helpful. No special background is needed, except of course to know the gemorrah first.
2. What is the format of your Tosfos resources? a) Is it a book, downloadable PDF’s, a website, CD/audio? b) Please describe the nature of your translation of Tosfos: A loose translation? Close to word for word? Do you include the Hebrew texts?
TIE is published in book form, and is also available for free in downloadable PDF’s on our website –TosfosInEnglish.com
It is a very close translation, followed by a more easily readable rendition of Tosfos. We try to incorporate as much Hebrew text as possible (once the text has been already translated [and explained]).
3. What is your educational approach? How do you present or describe the question and answers of each Tosfos? Do you go beyond the p’shot? Do you explain machlokosim Rashi/Tosfos? Do you fill in with background information that might be necessary to understand the Tosfos? Do you add some lumdos for selected sugiyas?
TIE tries mainly to offer the simple pshat in our main text; however there are many copious footnotes which incorporate many of the intricacies explained by the various mforshim, until the very last acharonim.
Each Tosfos begins with an ‘overview’ which explains the context of the gemorah.
4. How much of Shas have you done? Please list the completed masechtas — and for partial masechtas — which perakim, have you published Tosfos translations and elucidations?
Shabbos Perek 1 (mostly), Perk 7 (partially); Pesochim perek 1 (mostly) perek 2 (partially); Kesubos prakim 1 & 2; Gittin perek 1, perek (partially) perek 4 (partially); Kidushin perek 1 (partially) perek 2 (partially); Bovo Kammo perek 1, perek 7 (partially); Bovo Metziah perek 1, Bovo Basra perek 1, perek 3 (partially).
5. Ordering: How can our readers access, download or order Tosfos in English?
One can download by going to tosfosinenglish.com and choose what he needs. TIE is sold by zberman books (among others).
Click here to download a sample of TosfosinEnglish by Rabbi Piekarski on Baba Kama.
IV. The Gemara and Tosfos Project by Rabbi Chaim Smulowitz TOSFOS.ECWID.COM
My main focus in the Gemara and Tosfos Project is to assist the student. My two main concerns were as follows:
There are many children that do not understand Gemara learning. To them, the continuous page of Gemara and commentaries are no more understandable than a Chinese newspaper.
To further confuse them, they are taught a short section at a time, impeding the flow. They get little pieces here and there, but can’t put these pieces together.
To remedy this, the Sefarim are written with the flow of the Gemara and Tosfos. Without translating word for word, the students can see the whole picture without stopping. (I do try to keep with the literal translation when possible.) After understanding the flow of the Gemara and Tosfos, it will be easy to go back and read the Gemara and Tosfos inside. I didn’t feel it as beneficial to write the translation next to the Hebrew text.
I only wrote the simple explanation. I only add Mefarshim (Maharsha, Maharam, Pnei Yehoshua) when there are questions on the basic explanation. I wanted to keep it as simple as possible. I also explain other Gemaras that Tosfos quotes so the reader could understand it without having to research them on his own.
These sefarim may not very helpful personally to experienced educators who have taught the material many times. However, for those who are new to teaching the material, it can be very helpful with preparation. One Rebbi told me that he bought a copy to help him with a tutoring job which he didn’t have enough time to prepare the Tosfos properly. He ended up learning the Sefer with the boy. A Yungerman bought it to be prepared to learn with his eighth grade son who has begun to learn Tosfos in class. I had a similar response from a Rebbi in Lakewood.
If a Rebbi has students who are struggling, this would be perfect to recommend for them. The boys can read it on their own and get a better sense of the material than by just hearing the Rebbi explain it over and over. This could be a total game-changer in his learning career.
I started this project two years ago, and I recently finished the main mesechtos learned first Seder in Yeshivos. I have approximately the first ten Blatt (the usual amount learned in a year) of the following Mesechtos: Yevamos, Kesuvos, Gittin, Kiddushin, Bava Kama and Bava Metzia. I also have the first ten Blatt of Perek Chezkas Habatim. The Perek Eilu Metzios is also available. I hope to eventually have the secondary Perakim in these Mesechtos. The sefarim are available for purchase both as a downloadable PDF file and a soft-cover book.
The feedback I have received has been very positive. When I posted a sample on a Chinuch group, many Rabbeim gave positive reviews, with some asking for availability for their class or for personal use. The students found The Tosfos Project very helpful. After an oral test on Tosfos a Rebbi was surprised how well a student did, asked who the tutor was. The bochur showed his Rebbi the sefer. A parent wrote me thanking me for the Sefer that helped his son, asking if I had anything on what he was learning, but , alas, I didn’t have anything on Chulin.
My Sefarim are available for purchase at my website tosfos.ecwid.com and the book form is available on Amazon, as well.
Click here to download a sample of the Tosfos Project by Rabbi Smulowitz on Gittin.
V. Tools for Tosafos by Rabbi Haim Perlmutter
Tools for Tosafos is a book that introduces newcomers and more advanced gemara students to the learning methodology of Tosfos. The 147 page book addresses among other topics: who were the Baaley Tosfos, Tosfos’s language and syntax, Tosfos’s objectives, the nature of his questioning and analysis, solutions to contradictions, how Tosfos refers to varying stages in the gemara’s flow, his critique of Rashi and other commentaries, and a dictionary of common Aramaic and Hebrew words and abbreviations used in Tosfos. The book also recommends strategies to learn Tosfos for both the beginner and more advanced student, including exploring the commentaries of other Rishonim and Acharonim. The book also features an Appendix of bibliographies of selected Baaley Tosfos.
Tools for Tosafos can be purchased here.
HEBREW LANGAUGE TOSFOS RESOURCES
I. Mei Menuchos by Rabbi Nachman Kahana
NACHMANKAHANA.COM/MAY-MENUCHOT-SERIES/
Rabbi Kahana has clear and systematic explanations of Tosfos for many mesechtas in shas. He is currently offering electronic versions of Mei Menuchot free of charge for a limited time, which represents 40 years of his Torah work. Links to the free downloads are indicated below among the fifteen volumes of the Mei Menuchot that are for sale. One volume, Berachot, has been translated into English.
Sign up here to receive E-mail updates as new volumes become available.
Volume 1
- Brachot (download PDF 530 KB)
- Baytza (download PDF 1.3 MB)
- Megila (download PDF 1.2 MB)
- Chagiga (download PDF 2 MB)
Volume 2 Pesachim (download PDF 8 MB)
Volume 3
- Rosh HaShanah
- Sukkah
Volume 4 Yuma
Volume 5 Yevamot, Part 2
Volume 6 Ketuvot, Part 1
Volume 7 Gittin
Volume 8
Volume 9 Bava Kama, Part 1
Volume 10 Bava Metzia, Part 1
Volume 11 Bava Metzia, Part 2
Volume 12 Shevuot
Volume 13 Shabbat Chapter 1, Sanhedrin Chapter 1, Zevachim Chapter 5, Chulin Chapter 7
Volume 14 Bava Batra, Part 1
Volume 15 – Taanit, Sotah, Nidah Part 1
ENGLISH VOLUMES
Tractate Brachot
II. Shaare Tosfos by Rabbi David Oksenberg
Rabbi David Oksenberg has written forty volumes of Shaarei Tosfos that clearly explain each step of Tosfos. There are also charts and summaries to help explain Tosfos. The available volumes for sale are listed below:
רשימת הפרקים עליהם יש ספרי “שערי תוספות”
יש פרקים שיש שני חלקים
מסכת ברכות – 2 חלקים
מסכת שבת – פרק יציאות השבת 2 – כרכים
מסכת פסחים – פרק אור לארבעה עשר – כרך אחד
מסכת סוכה – פרק ראשון 2 כרכים
מסכת ביצה פרק ביצה שנולדה ביו”ט
מסכת כתובות – פרק בתולה נשאת 2 כרכים
מסכת גיטין
פרק המביא גט– 2 כרכים
פרק השולח – 2 כרכים
מסכת קדושין
פרק האשה נקנית 3 כרכים
פרק האיש מקדש
מסכת בבא קמא
פרק ארבעה אבות, 2 – כרכים
פרק כיצד הרגל
פרק המניח
פרק שור שנגח ארבעה וחמישה
פרק שור שנגח את הפרה
פרק הכונס
פרק מרובה חלק א’
פרק מרובה חלק ב’
פרק החובל
פרק הגוזל את העצים א
פרק הגוזל את העצים ח”ב
פרק הגוזל ומאכיל
מסכת בבא מציעא
פרק שנים אוחזין, 2 כרכים
פרק אלו מציאות
פרק המפקיד
פרק השוכר את האומנין
פרק השואל את הפרה
פרק השוכר את הפועלים
מסכת בבא בתרא
פרק השותפין, 2 כרכים
פרק חזקת הבתים, 2 כרכים
מסכת מכות
פרק כיצד העדים
פרק אלו הן הגולין
III. OZ V’HADAR’S Multi-volume Shas, Mesivta.
מהדורות מתיבתא
Oz V’Hadar’s Mesivta 135 volume set includes explanations of every Tosfos in Shas.