By order of the Pope, the Talmud was burned in Venice on the 13th and 14th of MarCheshvan, 1553 (Minchah Belulah, Deuteronomy 33:2). The reason given was that the Talmud contained statements heretical to the Christian faith. Venice boasted many famous Hebrew printing houses, including that of Daniel Bomberg, an Italian gentile who published the Talmud there during the years 1519–1523.
Link: What Is the Talmud?
A Jew entered the Alter Rebbe’s study and said, “Rebbe, I am a simple man. Please explain to me: What is this holiday of Shemini Atzeret?”
The Alter Rebbe held his head in his hands for a moment. Then he answered:
“For a long journey, you might make a concentrate of the food and drink you will need for the way. At every stop, you mix some of the powder with water, and you have enough for that day.”
“Shemini Atzeret contains all the joy for the entire year, but in highly concentrated form. Treasure every moment!”