Torah MiEtzion: New Readings in Tenach
The Torah MiEtzion series is a breathtaking exposition of key themes, ideas and events in the humash (five books of Moses). The novelty that runs through all five volumes of this magnum opus is the truly rigorous approach to reading the biblical narrative. All too often, such literary intensity is confined to talmudic law. The approach here is to transfer and adapt that to 'plumb the depths' of Tanach, and the effect is an outstanding academic and inspiriration multi-volume work.
Emerging from the study halls of yeshivat har etzion in Israel, originality and insight in Tanach is given serious attention, making this publication of particular interest to the scholar and layman alike. So what are the defining features of the yeshivah's, and thus the Torah MiEtzion series, that differentiates it from the plethora of similar works?
1) Understanding Tanach through Tanach itself - meaning a commitment to figuring out the simply interpretation of the verses without reliance on rabbinic or post-rabbinic commentary. This is summed up nicely as 'the mearning of the text is found in the text, and your job is to find it.' Therefore, unlike other essays that seek to explain, gather and summarise the ideas of the great classical commentators, the Torah MiEtzion series believes in relying on what is available in terms of the 'text right in front of you' - including the narrative that comes before and afterwards, to garner an insight into the text.
2) Literary tools - the authors deploy various methods of interpretation, such as textual comparison, terminology analysis and character analysis. This creates a vibrant and diverse series that never gets boring, as the reader is constantly challenged to adapt his/her reading of the text.
3) The wider context of the Tanach. Rather than a verse-by-verse analysis, the series aims to appreciate the stories and themes in the context of the Tanach as a whole; a highly ambitious aim successfully completed by the array of fantastic scholars writing.
The shortish length of the essays - long enough to convey the idea, but short enough to complete in under half an hour, will be a welcome format to readers. This enables a sense of satisfaction as you move across the essays; a handful for each parsha. Further, many parshiot contain a plethora of themes the series offers, such as character analysis, the land of Israel and textual conundrums and contradictions.
Take Parashat Shoftim in the book of Devarim for example. Here, essays are presented on topics such as the Torah's political system - a major political issue, and cities of refuge - a major halakhic issue. Therefore, in just one weekly reading, you get a sense of the breadth of scholarship and wisdom that the authors are able to impart. But despite its scholarly nature, the series does tackle basic questions, such as why Gd did not accept Cain's offering in Genesis, and what exactly does it mean when it says 'Gd saw that it was good'. Always, a unique approach to understanding verses and themes are offered, clearly explained in a lively way.
I suppose the book of Shemot will be of major interest to so many readers given it deals with the top questions of all time, such as national identity, the relationship between Gd and Israel and Gd and the world.
Nevertheless, insightful exploration of these core themes is an outstanding way to grow in ones humash studies, and it surely a welcome set for readers interested in humash, regardless of their ability and prior experience.
Torah MiEtzion: New Readings in Tanach is published by Maggid
Emerging from the study halls of yeshivat har etzion in Israel, originality and insight in Tanach is given serious attention, making this publication of particular interest to the scholar and layman alike. So what are the defining features of the yeshivah's, and thus the Torah MiEtzion series, that differentiates it from the plethora of similar works?
1) Understanding Tanach through Tanach itself - meaning a commitment to figuring out the simply interpretation of the verses without reliance on rabbinic or post-rabbinic commentary. This is summed up nicely as 'the mearning of the text is found in the text, and your job is to find it.' Therefore, unlike other essays that seek to explain, gather and summarise the ideas of the great classical commentators, the Torah MiEtzion series believes in relying on what is available in terms of the 'text right in front of you' - including the narrative that comes before and afterwards, to garner an insight into the text.
2) Literary tools - the authors deploy various methods of interpretation, such as textual comparison, terminology analysis and character analysis. This creates a vibrant and diverse series that never gets boring, as the reader is constantly challenged to adapt his/her reading of the text.
3) The wider context of the Tanach. Rather than a verse-by-verse analysis, the series aims to appreciate the stories and themes in the context of the Tanach as a whole; a highly ambitious aim successfully completed by the array of fantastic scholars writing.
The shortish length of the essays - long enough to convey the idea, but short enough to complete in under half an hour, will be a welcome format to readers. This enables a sense of satisfaction as you move across the essays; a handful for each parsha. Further, many parshiot contain a plethora of themes the series offers, such as character analysis, the land of Israel and textual conundrums and contradictions.
Take Parashat Shoftim in the book of Devarim for example. Here, essays are presented on topics such as the Torah's political system - a major political issue, and cities of refuge - a major halakhic issue. Therefore, in just one weekly reading, you get a sense of the breadth of scholarship and wisdom that the authors are able to impart. But despite its scholarly nature, the series does tackle basic questions, such as why Gd did not accept Cain's offering in Genesis, and what exactly does it mean when it says 'Gd saw that it was good'. Always, a unique approach to understanding verses and themes are offered, clearly explained in a lively way.
I suppose the book of Shemot will be of major interest to so many readers given it deals with the top questions of all time, such as national identity, the relationship between Gd and Israel and Gd and the world.
Nevertheless, insightful exploration of these core themes is an outstanding way to grow in ones humash studies, and it surely a welcome set for readers interested in humash, regardless of their ability and prior experience.
Torah MiEtzion: New Readings in Tanach is published by Maggid
Comments
Post a Comment