Torah and Commentary: The Five Books of Moses: Translation, Rabbinic and Contemporary Commentary
The first five books of the Hebrew Bible—Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy—are known as the Torah, a word meaning “instruction,” “teaching,” or “guidance.” The books are divided into 54 weekly portions and read in synagogues on Sabbaths, festivals, and fast days as well as on ordinary Mondays and Thursdays. Scharfstein’s translation is accompanied by interpretations of more than 2,000 passages by classical and contemporary rabbinic commentators. These commentaries include such subjects as religious practices, history, theology, laws, customs, and ethical concepts. The book also offers background data regarding the Torah’s place in Judaism and the ritual practices related to the Torah and Sabbath services. There are biographical sketches of such biblical commentators as Rashi, Maimonides, and the Baal Shem Tov. Scharfstein, the author of more than 75 books in Hebrew and English, offers a highly relevant and comprehensive guide to a complex subject. --George Cohen--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.