Compare and Contrast: Artscroll and Koren Talmud Bavli

Question

I want to know why would someone choose Artscroll Talmud Bavli over the Koren Talmud Bavliand and vice versa.

What features do the Koren Talmud Bavli and the Artscroll Talmud Bavli and how do they compare.

Answer 1

I have learned with both the Koren and the Artscroll. I actually switched to the Koren Steinsaltz. I have been using it everyday to learn daf yomi for 2 years. It really depends what your looking for if one is better than the other. As far as explanation, I would not label Koren a review Gemorah. While Artscroll is known for it's explanation, Koren has a lot of the explanation in the English translation of the running text as well as in the notes section. Diagrams and illustrations are brought in to clarify the text. It really depends on the page that you're on in any given tractate if there are more notes in the Artscroll or the Koren. I would reference Koren's version of Tractate Shekalim which has an abundance of explanation.

What I like best about the Koren Steinsaltz however is that you can follow in the flow of the discussion in the English translation which I find is very difficult with the Artscroll. However if you like to learn directly from the Tzuras HaDaf, Artscroll has it's advantages. You can go back and forth easier between the English and the actual page. Artscroll also has a good iPad app.

HZ

Answer 2

I personally read a daf of Gemora with Artscroll and Koren. (Rosh Hashana 2) and even though it was very little I was reading different things on each one and I will conclude (mostly subjective)

• Koren has a little better literal translation and consistent translation (http://www.torahcafe.com/rabbi-tzvi-hersh-weinreb/the-story-behind-the-koren-talmud-video_314581457.html)
• Koren has much less explanation than ArtScroll
• Koren has a cool Halacha Column where it says the Final Halacha

So I would conclude that ArtScroll is more of a Learn-By-Yourself Gemorah

And Koren is more of a Reveiw Gemorah

Answer 3

I have never learned with the Koren, but what I have heard is that it is basically just a literal translation of the Gemara text. So if you want the experience of learning the Gemara where you have to figure things out on your own the same way you would without a translation, the Koren seems to be best. But if you want to be able to get pshat right away, the Artscroll is probably best because it gives a lot of explanation.