Commentary-Bible

Imrei Baruch - Tokef Haminhag B'halacha

Isaiah is the most impactful book of the Hebrew Prophets on account of its essential message, its powerful, elegant, and intense poetry, and the major events in Jewish history it depicts. Isaiah and His Contemporaries turns the book into something all readers – from students to scholars – can understand and appreciate.
Isaiah and His Contemporaries skillfully unpacks the complexity of the Biblical Isaiah and opens it to modern readers by providing an analysis of the poetic flourishes and presentation styles of Isaiah, contextualizing the precise setting of each prophecy within its historical environment, explaining the meaning of obscure Hebrew words, and more importantly highlighting the ever-relevant messages of Isaiah and his contemporary prophets. Special attention is also given to the enduring role Isaiah plays in classical and modern Jewish philosophy, as well as its use in Jewish prayer and the passages read in synagogue as part of the haftaroth cycle.
Isaiah and his Contemporaries captures just over a century of Jewish history in the First Temple period, and analyzes the texts written at the time – Isaiah, Hoshea, Micah, Amos and Jonah, along with parallel parts of Kings and Chronicles. It is a vital tool for all Bible students of all levels.

Rabbi Dr. Yaakov Jaffe is the Rabbi of the Maimonides Kehillah in Brookline, Massachusetts and Director of the Tanach program in the Maimonides School, where he has taught Sefer Yeshayahu for more than a decade. Rabbi Jaffe’s Doctorate and Ordination is from Yeshiva University, from which he holds degrees in Bible, Jewish Education, Jewish History, and where he also studied in the Wexner Kollel Elyon in advanced Talmudic Studies. He studied in Yeshivat Har Etzion in Israel, and holds a degree in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University. Rabbi Jaffe's has published more than two dozen scholarly articles on Tanach, Jewish Philosophy and Hebrew poetry have been published in Jewish Bible Quarterly,Hakirah, Tradition, and the Lehrhaus blog. He has also served as the Menahel of the Boston Rabbinical court and the director of the United States Bible Contest, the Chidon Ha-Tanach.

Discussions in this unique work include: How is our understanding of Torah guided by philosophy? Can Jewish tradition combat Bible criticism? Why does God permit evil? Did Rabbi Akiva reject the Torah’s death penalty? Rabbinic law vs. the spirit of halachah Rambam’s Judaism and its relevance in a post-Aristotelian world In a scholarly though highly readable manner, Judaism Reclaimed examines a range of theological and philosophical discussions emerging from the Torah. Inspired by the approaches of Rambam, Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, and other leading Jewish thinkers, the author analyzes both narrative and halachic areas of the Torah’s teachings. Drawing on a wide range of sources, he examines a number of challenges posed to Orthodox Judaism from the halls of academia and addresses them from the perspective of Jewish tradition. About the Author: Rabbi Shmuel Phillips has spent almost two decades studying in yeshiva and kollel. During this time, he has also completed a law degree from the University of London.

In Judges: The Perils of Possession, Rabbi Michael Hattin offers a highly readable introduction to the biblical book of Judges that combines imaginative sweep with analytic depth. Utilizing literary techniques, ancient and modern commentaries, as well as current academic research, Hattin draws us into the book's epic accounts of mighty leaders and their exploits, stories that both shock and inspire. As each successive judge falls farther from the ideal of good governance, an urgent question takes shape: How can the downward spiral be halted?

This volume is dedicated by The Rosedale and Wilheim Families. If you want to unlock the spiritual and ethical treasures of Jewish thought... If you want to share the insights and brilliance of Midrashic commentators, both classic and contemporary... If you want to discover the depth and beauty of the Midrash... Now is the time to begin. A monumental and magnificent new Torah project: The Kleinman Edition Midrash Rabbah Like the Talmud, the Midrash is part of the Oral Law. The Midrash delves into the spiritual essence of the revealed Torah. It adds many missing details of the Torah's narrative, and provides the ethical tradition that was passed down orally from generation to generation. Midrash Rabbah is the best known and most widely studied of all the Midrashic works. The Kleinman Edition Midrash Rabbah is a 16-volume project covering all of Midrash Rabbah, on the entire Chumash and the Five Megillahs. The Kleinman Edition Midrash Rabbah features: The Hebrew text, newly typeset, on pages facing the English translation and commentary Many classic Hebrew commentaries, including Rashi, Matnos Kehunah, Eitz Yosef, and Maharzu, plus the out-of-print classic Eshed HaNechalim -- All newly typeset on the Hebrew page ArtScroll/Mesorah's acclaimed phrase-by-phrase translation and elucidation of the Midrash text, created by an international team of Torah scholars for optimum understanding of the Midrash Explanatory footnotes to help clarify difficult passages and concepts A special "Insights" section that amplifies or complements our elucidated text and notes and at times brings a contemporary focus to the timeless words of the Midrash "Insights": Midrashic teachings enriching our contemporary understanding The Midrash has been the source of Jewish ethical and spiritual teachings for millennia, and has been mined for its treasures particularly by the masters of Mussar and Chassidic thought. In the unique "Insights" feature, we see the Midrash through the eyes of classic early authorities as well as more contemporary giants of Torah thought such as Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, the Sefas Emes, and Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler, and many others.

This second volume is a continuation of Elihu Levine's much heralded and meticulous English rendering of Kli Yakar, with clear explanations and footnotes that make this brilliant classic Torah commentary, written over four hundred years ago by Rav Shlomo Efraim of Luntshits, accessible for today's generation. Includes Chumash, Rashi, and Kli Yakar in the original Hebrew. Volume 2 includes the following parashiyos in Sefer Shemos: Yisro, Mishpatim, Terumah, Tetzaveh, Ki Sissa, Vayakhel, and Pikudei.

In Rabbi Yosef Deutsch’s skillful hands, the remarkable story of Ruth comes to life as never before. The unique era of the Judges, its grand, narrative sweep; the soul-stirring events and personalities: Elimelech’s descent to Moav, Naomi’s relationship with her daughters-in-law, Ruth’s inspiring transformation from pagan princess to matriarch of the Davidic dynasty; her mysterious marriage to Boaz, planting the seed of Mashiach. With his trademark storytelling skills, Rabbi Deutsch weaves together teachings from Talmud, Midrash, and other classic sources to create an unparalleled reading and learning experience. Includes Hebrew-English Megillas Ruth. Make sure this Shavuos is unlike any other - treat yourself to Let Me Join Your Nation.

Today there are many people among the nations of the world who are drawn to the Jewish people and desire the sweetness of the Torah and its teachings. It has been difficult for non-Jewish people to find such teachings - until now.

This groundbreaking book is a collection of essays on the weekly Torah portions and the holidays from twelve leading rabbis of Israel, written specifically to address the interests of a Christian audience. This is the world's first book of Torah written by Orthodox rabbis especially (but not exclusively) with pro-Israel Christians in mind!
These Orthodox rabbis are enabling the fulfillment of the words of Zechariah 8:23: In those days it will happen that ten men, of all the [different] languages of the nations, will take hold, they will take hold of the corner of the garment of a Jewish man, saying, 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you!'

One who strives to learn the simple meaning of Tanakh, if he is to do his job faithfully, must make use of his imagination and discerning eye. With God's help, he finds himself astounded by his discoveries no less than an archaeologist uncovering evidence of lost civilizations. He follows in the footsteps of our ancestors, observes their ways, listens to their words, until he feels he is standing face to face with them.

This book offers innovative peshat-oriented insights into the book of Genesis and the first half of Exodus. Writing in the spirit of the Rashbam's exegesis, the author sheds light on many issues, especially obscure passages connected to the patriarchs. The book is the fruit of the collaboration of Rabbi Yehuda Herzl Henkin and his son, Rabbi Eitam Henkin hy"d. These two scions of a great rabbinic dynasty were connected by bonds of love and Torah.

All parents want the children to be involved in the divrei Torah on the parashah recited at the Shabbos table. But where can you find a Torah lesson with quality and substance, yet filled with enough excitement to keep everyone's interest? Mashal Tov is the perfect solution! Rabbi Yeshaya Greenberger's entertaining and stimulating parables, based on classical meforshim, teach in a fun way. Each mashal inspires discussion that will include the entire family: What lesson do we learn from this story?How does the mashal match the nimshal? The product of many years of chinuch experience, and honed by the talented pen of Rabbi Tzvi Moshe Schultz, Mashal Tov will transform the Shabbos meals into an enjoyable Torah experience, for young and old alike.