What Did the Jews Learn When the Talmud Was Outlawed?

In 1551, apostates brought slanderous accusations against the Talmud before the Pope, with the result that a decree was issued to burn the Talmud throughout Italy. A severe penalty was to be imposed upon anyone who kept any Talmudic tractates. Of necessity, the study of the Talmud was replaced with the study of the Rif, which contains selections from the halakhic discussions in the Talmud. In this episode, we explore some of the earliest printings of the Rif, and one unique manuscript edition.