Entering Torah: Prefaces to the Weekly Torah Portion (Hardback or Cased Book)

Hammer, Reuven

ISBN 10: 9652294349 / ISBN 13: 9789652294340

Published by Gefen Books 10/6/2009, 2009

About this Item

Entering Torah: Prefaces to the Weekly Torah Portion.

Seller Inventory # BBS-9789652294340

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Entering Torah: Prefaces to the Weekly Torah Portion (Hardback or Cased Book)
• Publisher: Gefen Books 10/6/2009
• Publication Date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9652294349
• ISBN 13: 9789652294340
• Binding: Hardback or Cased Book
• Condition: New
• Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Book Type: Book

About this title

Synopsis

For the believing Jew today, no less than for those in the past, the study of the weekly portion is a religious experience. For this reason it is customary to consider the section along with its traditional commentaries. It is important to know not only what the Torah meant when it was written, but also what it has meant within Judaism since then. It is also important for intellectual honesty to distinguish between the two. Moderns also have the advantage of using the results of linguistic studies and comparative studies of other ancient texts as well as archaeological finds to help us understand the text.

The Torah reflects an entire worldview concerning the nature of God and of human beings, the task of Israel and the way in which we are to live. Thus it is an ancient text that is ever new and always renewing itself. One studies it not only to learn what was, but also to discover what we are and how we are to live.

These prefaces are meant to complement and enrich your study of the portion by pointing out important ideas found therein and raising problems and questions for consideration. Enter into the Torah text with this lively companion and experience the full impact of the age-old - and totally new - weekly portion.

About the Author

Rabbi Reuven Hammer received his rabbinic ordination and doctorate in theology from the Jewish Theological Seminary and a PhD from the School of Speech of Northwestern University. He headed the Israel programs of the Jewish Theological Seminary in Jerusalem and was also the founding director of the Seminary of Judaic Studies, today the Schechter Institute. The Jerusalem Post runs Rabbi Hammer s column Tradition Today. Two of his books, Sifre: A Tannaitic Commentary on the Book of Deuteronomy and Entering the High Holy Days, were awarded the National Jewish Book Council prize. He has also written The Jerusalem Anthology, Entering Jewish Prayer and The Classic Midrash, as well as a commentary on Siddur Sim Shalom entitled Or Hadash. Rabbi Hammer is currently the Head of the Rabbinical Court of the Rabbinical Assembly of Israel and a member of the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the international Rabbinical Assembly. He and his wife, Rahel, a Judaica artist, live in Jerusalem.