The Babyl. Talmud is, in all its editions, equally paged, so that a quotation made applies to all editions. It is double-paged, and quoted with the name of the Tractate, the number of the page, and a or b according as one or another side of the page is referred to. The quotations are distinguished from those of the Mishnah by this, that in the Mihnah Roman and ordinary numerals are employed (to mark Chapters and Paragraphs), while in the Babylon Talmud the name of the Tractate is followed by an ordinary numeral, indicating the page, together with a or b, to mark which side of the page is referred to. Thus Ber. 4 a means: Tractate Berachoth, p. 4, first or left-hand side of the page.
I have used the Vienna edition, but this, as already explained, is not a point of any importance. To facilitate the verification of passages quoted I have in very many instances quoted also the lines, either from top or bottom.
The abbreviation Tos. (Tosephta, additamentum) before the name of a Tractate refers to the additions made to the Mishnah after its redaction. This redaction dates from the third century of our era. The Tos. extends only over 52 of the Mishnic Tractates. They are inserted in the Talmud at the end of each Tractate, and are printed on the double pages in double columns (col. a and b on p. a, col. e and d on p. b). They are generally quoted by Pereq and Mishnah: thus, Tos. Gitt. i. 1, or (more rarely) by page and column, Tos. Gitt. p. 150 a. The ed. Zuckermandel is, when quoted, specially indicated.
Besides, the Tractate Aboth de Rabbi Nathan (Ab. de. R. Math.), and the smaller Tractates, Sopherim (Sopher), Semachoth (Semach.), Kallah (Kall. or Chall), [2] Derekh Erets (Der Er.), Derekh Erets Zuta (commonly Der Er. S.), and Pereq Shalom (Per. Shal.) are inserted at the close of vol. ix. of the Talmud. They are printed in four columns (on double pages), and quoted by Pereq and Mishnah.
The so-called Septem Libri Talmudici parvi Hierosolymitani are published separately (ed. Raphael Kirchheim, Fref 1851). They are the Massecheth Sepher Torah (Mass. Seph. Tor.), Mass. Mezuzah (Mass. Mesus.), Mass. Tephillin (Mass. Tephill.), Mass. Tsitsith (Mass. Ziz.), Mass. Abhadim (Mass. Abad.), Mass. Kuthim (Mass. Cuth.), and Mass. Gerim (Mass. Ger.). They are printed and quoted according to double pages (a and b).
To these must be added the so-called Chesronoth haShas, a collection of passages expurgated in the ordinary editions from the various Tractates of the Talmud. Here we must close, what might else assume undue proportions, by an alphabeticallist of the abbreviations, although only of the principal books referred to: -
Ab. Zar. [3] The Talmudic Tractate Abhodah Zorah, on Idolatry.
Ab. The Talmudic Tractate Pirquey Abohoth, Savings of the Fathers.
Ab. de R Nath. The Tractate Abhoth de Rabbi Nathan at the close of vol. ix. in the Bab. Talm.
Arakh. The Talmudic Tractate Arakhin, on the redemption of persons or things consecrated to the Sanctuary.
Bab. K. The Talmudic Tractate Babha Qamma (First Gate'), the first,
Bab. Mets. [or Mez.] Talmudic Tractate Babha Metsia (Middle Gate'), the second,
Bab. B. The Talmudic Tractate Babha Bathra (Last Gate'), the third of the great Tractates on Common Law.
Bechor. The Talmudic Tractate Bekhoroth, on the consecration to the Sanctuary of the First-born.
Bemid R. The Midrash (or Commentary) Bemidbar Rabba, on Numbers.
Ber. The Talmudic Tractate Berakhoth, on Prayers and Benedictions.
Ber. R. The Midrash (or Commentary) Bereshith Rabba, on Genesis.
Bets. [or Bez.] The Talmudic Tractate Betsah, laws about an egg laid on Sabbath and Fast-days, and on similar points connected with the sanctifying of such seasons.
Biccur. The Talmudic Tractate Bikkurim, on First-fruits.
Chag. The Talmudic Tractate Chagigah, on the festive offerings at the three Great Feasts.
Chall. The Talmudic Tractate Challah, on the first of the dough (Numb. xv. 17).