[COMMUNICATED] You asked for it. “I’ve learned Daf Yomi with the Schottenstein Talmud for two cycles, and I want to deepen my understanding. What about a Tosafos?”

“My son is in yeshivah, and I want to be able to learn with him, but I can use some help with Tosafos, particularly the complicated ones. Any chance that ArtScroll will publish a Tosafos?”

“I’ve learned Gemara with Tosafos for years, but the logic is hard for me. I need help. I need ArtScroll.”

Finally, it’s here. The inaugural edition of The ArtScroll Edition Tosafos: Tractate Makkos, dedicated by Yaakov and Ilana Melohn.

ArtScroll’s Schottenstein Edition Talmud revolutionized Gemara study, opening the Talmud’s wisdom to tens of thousands; indeed, it is estimated that of the 90,000 who took part in the last Siyum HaShas at MetLife Stadium, more than half had studied with the Schottenstein Edition.

As Talmud study became more and more widespread, another challenge appeared: Tosafos. Request after request came into the ArtScroll office, asking us to do for the study of Tosafos what our Talmud had done for Gemara learning.

Tosafos explains, elaborates, and resolves apparent difficulties, frequently cross-referencing other Gemaras, and leading us to a deeper understanding of the text. An editor of the project explains, “In a sense, Tosafos brings the entire Talmud onto the daf. But it’s written in a terse manner that makes it difficult to follow. Yet if someone wants a broader, deeper understanding of Gemara and Rashi, he’s got to tackle Tosafos.”

The ArtScroll Edition Tosafos includes an Introduction to each Tosafos that gives background information and defines important terms. There is a flowing translation in the format of the Schottenstein Talmud, and Tosafos’ questions and answers are clearly explained. Notes add more information.

Each Tosafos ends with a summary that shows the flow of the entire segment, a unique and important feature. The editor says, “Even if you learn and understand Tosafos, you can lose a sense of the flow because it’s so terse and staccato. What we have here is unprecedented: a summary that goes over the points of Tosafos, putting it all together so you can follow the flow and appreciate its brilliance.”