The Origins of Midrash: From Teaching to Text by Paul D. Mandel A comprehensive study of the words darash and midrash from the Bible until the early rabbinic periods (3rd century CE). In contrast to current understandings in which the words are identified with modes of analysis of the biblical text, Mandel claims that they refer to instruction in law and not to an interpretation of text.

Judaism and the Interpretation of Scripture: Introduction to the Rabbinic Midrash by Jacob Neusner An introduction to Midrash.

Introduction to the Talmud and Midrash by H. L. Strack; Gunter Stemberger A classic introduction to rabbinic literature, which appeared in its first English edition in 1991, was widely acclaimed. Discusses first the historical framework, the basic principles of rabbinic literature and hermeneutics and the most important Rabbis.

A History of the Talmud (Online) by David Kraemer Traces the Talmud's origins and its often controversial status through history, as well as the continuities and shifts of the Talmud over time and space.

Tradition and the Formation of the Talmud (Online) by Moulie Vidas Argues that structural features of the Talmud were designed to produce a discontinuity with tradition, and that this discontinuity was part and parcel of the rabbis' self-conception. Both this self-conception and these structural features were part of a debate within and beyond the Jewish community about the transmission of tradition.