COMBATING TALMUDIC FORGERIES

“Most of the slanders upon the Talmud may well be labelled “Made in Germany.” Talmudic Forgeries, a Case Study in the Anti-Jewish Propaganda by Ben Zion Bokser, 1939

For centuries, the Talmud has been the target of relentless attacks by those seeking to malign Judaism and incite hatred against the Jewish people. A central tactic in this campaign has been the dissemination of falsehoods about the Talmud’s content—deliberate distortions designed to portray Jews as immoral, deceitful, and perverse. These efforts are deeply antisemitic in nature.

This form of propaganda dates back at least to the 11th century, but it reached a particularly virulent and methodical expression under Nazi Germany, where such fabrications were instrumental in justifying the horrors of the Holocaust. The father of the modern defamation of the Talmud was John Andreas Eisenmenger (1654-1704) in his work titled Entdecktes Judentum. Many others followed his calumny; all plagiarizing one another by citing the same forgeries. (To read a more extensive history of this anti-Jewish / anti-Talmud propaganda, please see Talmudic Forgeries, A Case Study in Anti-Jewish Propoganda by Ben Zion Bokser, 1939 available here: https://www.bjpa.org/content/upload/bjpa/2_ar/2_Articles_July-August_1939.pdf

Tragically, these same misrepresentations and fabricated “Talmudic quotes” continue to circulate today. Modern antisemites use them for the same purpose as their predecessors: to dehumanize Jews and fuel bigotry. Despite having been thoroughly debunked by both Jewish and Christian scholars, these lies persist. Why? Because for those driven by hate, truth is irrelevant. Propaganda is the objective. Antisemitism, as ever, serves the agenda of evil.

This article is intended as a resource to help readers guide their friends, family, or colleagues toward the truth behind widely circulated false or distorted “Talmudic quotes.” I also hope it brings comfort to those who have been troubled or disheartened by the slander directed at the Talmud. Such antisemitic fabrications can be deeply unsettling and may even cause individuals to question their own faith. May this work serve as a means of liberation—offering clarity in place of confusion and truth in the face of propaganda.

What is the Talmud?

The Talmud is a vast and complex compilation of rabbinic discussions and legal interpretations concerning the application of Torah law. Spanning over five centuries of scholarship, it reflects a deep and dynamic engagement with Jewish tradition. The Babylonian Talmud alone comprises over two million words, while the Jerusalem Talmud contains approximately one million. These are not simple texts—they are extensive volumes that can take many years to study in their entirety. In many ways, the Talmud functions like a comprehensive legal encyclopedia or a vast law library.

To better understand its nature, consider this analogy: imagine a library that contains the full record of every U.S. Supreme Court case ever litigated, including both majority and dissenting opinions. That’s the kind of intellectual and legal breadth the Talmud encompasses. Now, imagine someone pulling two or three lines out of that library—stripped entirely of their context—and using them to claim, “This is what all Americans believe.” The absurdity of such a claim is obvious. Yet this is precisely the tactic employed by antisemitic propagandists who misrepresent the Talmud. They extract isolated, often obscure statements and distort them to support grotesque generalizations about Jewish belief. It is not only dishonest—it is deliberately malicious.

The Forgeries, Lies and Misquotes

There are numerous lists in circulation that claim to present quotations from the Talmud which, taken at face value, portray Jews in a sinister or dehumanizing light—often depicting them as deceitful or morally corrupt. These compilations tend to recycle the same set of purported citations, many of which are either misquoted, mistranslated, or stripped entirely of their original context. Let us now turn our attention to some of the most frequently cited of these alleged Talmudic passages, and examine them with the scrutiny and historical understanding they require.

Avodah Zarah 37a

“A Gentile girl who is three years old can be violated.” —

(sometimes spelled as: Aboda Sarah 37a)

The passage actually states the very opposite. Nowhere does it say that a gentile girl can be violated at the age of three.  The quote simply does not exist.  On the contrary, the entire context of the discussion involves decrees that were enacted to prevent Jewish men from having sexual relations with non-Jewish women (of any age).  In context, the Rabbis are saying that a girl, after the age of three years old, is considered to have the status of a zavah. The purpose of the ruling was to prevent Jewish young men from intermarriage with non-Jewish girls as well as pre-marital sex in general; even with Jewish girls!

Avodah Zarah 36b

Gentile “Goy” Girls are in a state of niddah (filth) since birth. — Avoda Zara 36b

This is a gross mistranslation of the word “Niddah.”  The word simply means “separated” and is applied to Jewish women as well during the time they menstruate.  It does not mean “filth.”

Baba Necia 114:6

“The Jews are human beings, but the nations of the world are not human beings but beasts.”

This is a fabrication. There is no such tractate or book called “Baba Necia” in the Talmud or anywhere else. Moreover, there is no such quote extant. Judaism teaches that both Jews and non-Jews are human beings and must be treated with dignity, kindness and respect.

Bava Metziah 24a

“If a Jew finds an object lost by a goy, it does not have to be returned.”

There is no such quote on this daf of Talmud. One of the 613 commandments in the Torah is to return a lost object to its owner (Deuteronomy 22:1). Thie section of the Talmud deals with various scenarios of finding a lost object and the finder’s responsibility to locate its owner (if the items is not clearly marked with any owner’s identification). These including finding money in a public place, finding an object floating in a river and even in a trash receptacle. At no time does it say that a Jew does not have to return a lost object to a non-Jew. Indeed, Jewish ethics teach the precise opposite.

Bamidbar Rabbah c21

“Every Jew who spills the blood of the non-Jew is doing the same as making a sacrifice to God” 

First, Bamidbar Rabbah is the Great Midrash of the book of Numbers. It is not part of the Talmud. Second, there is no section “c21”. Third, the quote does not exist. However, this libel is likely maliciously derived from an alteration of Bamidbar Rabbah 21:3 which says:

““It shall be for him, and for his descendants after him, a covenant of an eternal priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and he atoned for the children of Israel” (Numbers 25:13). “It shall be for him, and for his descendants after him…and he atoned” – did he sacrifice an offering, that atonement is stated in his regard? It is, rather, to teach you that anyone who sheds the blood of the wicked, it is as though he sacrificed an offering. “The name of the Israelite man who was slain, who was slain with the Midianite woman, was Zimri son of Salu, prince of a Simeonite patrilineal house” (Numbers 25:14)”

The reader can clearly see that the Midrash is suggesting that the slaying of the wicked (not a non-Jew) is like an atonement offering. Indeed, the wicked person that Pinchas killed in this story was a Jew and not a gentile!

Baba Kamma 113a

“Jews may lie to non-Jews”

This is a fabrication. There is no such statement in Bava Kamma 113a. In fact, this daf of the Talmud reinforces the universal prohibition against theft and deceit (especially in court) while stressing the importance of integrity in business and legal dealings. Bava Kamma 113a highlights how a Jew must live a moral exemplar life and emphasizes ethical behavior toward non-Jews.

Choshen Misphat 405

“A pregnant non-Jew is no better than a pregnant animal.” — Choshen Mishpat 405

This is a fabricated “quote”. It does not exist in the Talmud nor in any other Jewish literature.  In addition, Choshen Mishpat is not a part of the Talmud.  It is part of a later work, the Shulchan Aruch, composed about a millennium later.  Choshen Mishpat covers laws regarding business, loans, civil procedure, and damages, among other topics.  Choshen Mishpat 405 deals with the laws of an ox that gores a person and the civil damages that may result from it.  

Choshen or Choschen Hamm 266 or 388

266: “A Jew may keep anything he finds which belongs to the Akum (Gentile). For he who returns it sins against the Law by increasing the power of the transgressors of the Law. It is praiseworthy, however, to return lost property if it is done to honor the name of God, i.e., if by so doing, Christians will praise the Jews and look upon them as honorable people.”

388: “If it can be proven that someone has given the money of Israelites to the goyim, a way must be found after prudent consideration to wipe him off the face of the earth.”

The above “quotes” are absolute forgeries. “Choshen or Choschen Hamm” does not exist…not in the Talmud nor anywhere else. These are completely fabricated.

Ereget Raschi Erod. 22 30

“The Akum (non-Jew) is like a dog. Yes, the scripture teaches to honor the dog more than the non-Jew.”

This is a completely fictitious quote.  There is no such book or quote. 

Gad 2:2

“A Jew may violate but not marry a non-Jewish girl.”

The book and “quote” are completely non-existent.

Ketuvot 11b

“When a grown-up man has intercourse with a little girl, it is nothing”

This is a quote taken completely out of context. The Talmud is giving a legal ruling that if a minor girl was (God forbid) violated at a young age, the act has no legal significance with respect to her status a s a virgin. She is still considered to be a virgin and worthy of the higher virgin’s price on her ketubah at her wedding!  

The subject of this daf of Talmud involves various cases of a woman whose hymen was ruptured for various reasons that do not have to do with having sex and whether such a woman is classified as a virgin (and entitled to the higher minimum payment) or not.  

Nowhere does the Talmud say that pedophilia is permitted. Indeed, sexual intimacy outside of marriage is strictly forbidden in Judaism. 

Libbre David 37

“If a Jew should wish to explain some of the Rabbinic literature, he must only provide a false explanation. One who transgresses this commandment will be put to death. Providing information about our attitude toward the gentile religion would be equivalent to killing all the Jews, for if the gentiles would know what we teach about them, they would kill us.”

This is completely fake – both the quote and and the “book”. Neither exist. Indeed, the entire concept of concealing the Talmud is utterly ridiculous. It has been available if various languages for centuries to include English, Arabic, French, Spanish and Russian.

Midrasch Talpioth pg. 225-L

“Jehovah created the non-Jew in human form so that the Jew would not have to be served by beasts. The non-Jew is consequently an animal in human form, and condemned to serve the Jew day and night.”

This is a completely fabricate quote. Midrash Talpioth itself is a work that was written in the late 1600s or early 1700s by Eliyahu son of Shlomo Avraham the Kohen. It is not a part of the Talmud. No such statement can be found therein.

Sanhedrin 19

“Every place the Jews go, they must become commanders of their lords.”

This is another fabricated “quote”. It is not found anywhere in the Talmud nor in any other Jewish literature.

Sanhedrin 54b

“A Jew may have sex with a child, as long as the child is less than nine years old.”

This is a fabricated quote which mischaracterizes the subject matter of Sanhedrin 54b. The Talmud says no such thing. The topic of this daf of Talmud is 1) capital punishment for male homosexual relationships, 2.) the legal definition of such acts, and 3.) the legal responsibility (if any) of minors in these acts. The Sages discuss at what age a male minor is held accountable, whether a child can be considered liable or a victim and the degree to which an adult is punished when the act involves a minor. It is from these discussions that the antisemites concocted this fabricated quote.

Sanhedrin 58

“If a Goy hits a Jew, he must be killed.”

This is referring to a statement (an opinion) from Rabbi Chanina who said: “If an idolater strikes an Israelite his is liable to death” [at the hands of the heavenly court]. He goes on to cite Exodus 2:12 as his proof text. Note that that he used the term “liable” meaning that this is a likely consequence. Moreover, this was believed to be something that “Heaven” (no a Jewish human court) would carry out. Having said that it is important to note that there is no such law in Judaism. This was merely the Rabbis’ opinion.

Sanhedrin 59a

“Murdering Goyim is like killing a wild animal”

This is a completely fabricated quote. Murder, in Judaism, is forbidden, and it doesn’t matter whether the victim is a Jew or a non-Jew.  

Sanhedrin 59a

“A goy (Gentile) who pries into The Law (Talmud) is guilty of death.”

This is an opinion of Rabbi Yochanan and again, in his opinion, this “death” would come at the hands of the Heavenly court. Rabbi Yochanan was here speaking about an idolater who was studying the Torah in order to coopt it while never having an intention to desist from his idolatrous practices.

Later on, in this same daf of Talmud, there is an objection to R’ Yochanan’s statement by the famed Rabbi Meir who said, “From where do we know that even an idolater who engrosses himself in Torah is worthy of honor like the High Priest? As it is written ‘That a man should keep them and live by them’ (Leviticus 18:5). It does not say a Priest, Levite or Israelite but “the man”.  We see then that an idolator who studies the Torah is like the Kohen Gadol!”

Schabouth Hag. 6d

“Jews may swear falsely by use of subterfuge wording.”

The “book” and quote are complete fabrications. 

Sepher Or Israel 177b

“A Jew who kills a Christian commits no sin, but offers an acceptable sacrifice to God.”

Another fabricated quote. Sefer Or Israel is not in the Talmud.  It is a much later work, containing thoughts and letters written by Rabbi Israel Salanter and published posthumously by his student, Rabbi Itzele Blazer in 1890.  There are only 92 folio pages in his work.

Seph. Jp 92

“God has given the Jews power over the possessions and blood of all nations.”

There is no such book nor any such quote. It is completely fabricated.

Szaaloth-Utszabot, The Book of Jore Dia 17

“A Jew should and must make a false oath when the Goyim asks if our books contain anything against them.”

This a fabricate quote from a fabricated “book”. Neither exist in Judaism.

Tosafos Yevamos 84

“If you eat with a Goy, it’s the same as eating with a dog”

The “quote” is entirely made up.  It does not exist. Tosafos is not the Talmud, it’s a commentary on the Talmud made by rabbis living in Europe in the 11-15th centuries. Neither eating with non-Jews nor dogs are discussed in Tosafos on Yevamos 84b or anywhere else.

Tosefta Avoda Zara V111 5

“a Gentile is forbidden to steal, rob, or take women slaves from a Jew.  But a Jew it’s not forbidden to do all this to a Gentile.”

This is a fabricate quote. There is no such “V111 5”. Some speculate that this might be an attempt to reference Tosefta Avoda Zara 8:5. However, that Tosefta mentions absolutely nothing about stealing from Jews or non-Jews.  It deals entirely with laws regarding wine that was left somewhere in the presence of idolators for a time and whether or not one must suspect that the wine was then designated or used for a libation for idols (which would render it forbidden for Jews).  

Yevamos 11b

“Sexual intercourse with a little girl is permitted if she is three years old”

This is another fabricated quote. It does not exist anywhere in Jewish literature.

Yevamos 98a

“All Children of Goyim are animals.”

Yet another fabricated quote. The Talmud says no such thing.

As the reader can clearly see, most of these “Talmudic quotes” are fabrications and the rest are egregious distortions taken far out of context. There might be more “quotes” that are presented but at this conjecture it is safe to dismiss them as nonsense. Judaism is a highly ethical religion that forbids murder, theft, incest, pedophilia, abuse, lying or any other immorality. The goal of those who suggest otherwise is simply to foment jew hatred. There tactics are dishonest and deceptive.