Students of rabbinic literature usually distinguish between the legal content (halakhah) and the folkloric content (aggadah) of the Talmud and related writings. Aggadah are literary gems in their own right, but with the illumination added by Rabbi Pearl's comments they also provide a winsome and readable introduction to the theological and ethical thought of the sages and rabbis who told them. This volume is recommended not only for those who already know the rabbinic literature but especially for those who do not but are interested in exploring its riches.