Overview

The JPS Jewish Heritage Torah Commentary shows Jews of all ages and backgrounds that the Jewish people's most significant book is not dusty and irrelevant but an eternally sacred text wholly pertinent to our modern lives. Designed to keep the attention of all readers, each lively essay is both brief enough to be read in minutes and deep and substantive enough to deliver abundant food for thought. Its cornerstone is its unique four-part meditation on the Jewish heritage. After briefly summarizing a Torah portion, the commentary orbits that portion through four central pillars of Jewish life-the Torah (Torat Yisrael), the land of Israel (Eretz Yisrael), the Jewish people (Am Yisrael), and Jewish thought (Mahshevet Yisrael)-illuminating how the four intersect and enrich one another. Furthering the Jewish thought motif, every essay ends with two questions for thought well suited for discussion settings. Each commentary can be used as the launchpad for a lesson, a sermon, a d'var Torah, or a discussion. Readers from beginners to experts will come away with new understandings of our Jewish heritage-and be inspired to draw closer to its four dimensions.

Full Product Details

Author:   Eli L. Garfinkel
Publisher:   Jewish Publication Society
Imprint:   Jewish Publication Society
ISBN:  

9780827612679

ISBN 10:   0827612672
Pages:   408
Publication Date:   01 June 2021
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order  
Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments Introduction 1. Genesis Bere’shit Summary Torat Yisrael: What Is the Torah’s Foundation? Eretz Yisrael: What Is Israel’s Claim to the Land? Am Yisrael: Farming and the Jews Maḥshevet Yisrael: Is the Creation Story Literally True? Noaḥ Summary Torat Yisrael: The Ark Was No Cruise Ship Eretz Yisrael: The Olive Branch Am Yisrael: Should Jews Be Fruitful and Multiply? Maḥshevet Yisrael: Did the Story of Noah’s Ark Really Happen? Lekh Lekha Summary Torat Yisrael: Loving and Hating the Jews Eretz Yisrael: Walk the Land Am Yisrael: Heritage Is an Inheritance Maḥshevet Yisrael: It’s All about Relationships Va-yera’ Summary Torat Yisrael: Radical Hospitality Eretz Yisrael: Lot’s Wife Am Yisrael: The People Who Escaped from the Sword Maḥshevet Yisrael: Arguing with God Ḥayyei Sarah Summary Torat Yisrael: Talk Is Cheap Eretz Yisrael: Ḥevron, City of Tears Am Yisrael: Gifts for Rebecca, Gifts for All Maḥshevet Yisrael: Marriages Are Miraculous Toledot Summary Torat Yisrael: Rumor Mongers and the Big Lie Eretz Yisrael: Reḥovot, City of Innovation Am Yisrael: God Is With the Pursued Maḥshevet Yisrael: Reacting to Dishonesty Va-yetse’ Summary Torat Yisrael: The Tzaddik Makes the City Eretz Yisrael: Brawn over Brains? Am Yisrael: All of Israel Is Connected Maḥshevet Yisrael: Sleep and Radical Amazement Va-yishlaḥ Summary Torat Yisrael: Don’t Rely on Miracles Eretz Yisrael: Rely on Miracles Am Yisrael: A People Gets Its Name Maḥshevet Yisrael: Some Things Never Change Va-yeshev Summary Torat Yisrael: Don’t Rest on Your Laurels Eretz Yisrael: The Yom Kippur War Am Yisrael: A Successful People Maḥshevet Yisrael: Dreams Mikkets Summary Torat Yisrael: The Crazy Bell Eretz Yisrael: Fighting Anorexia Am Yisrael: Insults against Our People Maḥshevet Yisrael: The Power of Hope Va-yiggash Summary Torat Yisrael: How to Criticize Eretz Yisrael: The Catholic Church and Israel Am Yisrael: The Need for Jewish Neighborhoods Maḥshevet Yisrael: Giving Ourselves a Jump Start Va-yeḥi Summary Torat Yisrael: Judah and Self-Restraint Eretz Yisrael: Snake on the Road Am Yisrael: War, Peace, and Justice Maḥshevet Yisrael: Torah Study vs. Gainful Employment 2. Exodus Shemot Summary Torat Yisrael: God Needs Public Relations Help Eretz Yisrael: Egypt in Israel Am Yisrael: Can Two Nations Live in One Country? Maḥshevet Yisrael: Was the Burning Bush a Gas Plant? Va-’era’ Summary Torat Yisrael: An Urgent Morning Meeting Eretz Yisrael: Speaking Truth to Power Am Yisrael: Believe It and Not Maḥshevet Yisrael: No, the Nile Is Not Yours! Bo’ Summary Torat Yisrael: Jewish Karma Eretz Yisrael: A Real Locust Plague in the Negev Am Yisrael: A Source of Light Maḥshevet Yisrael: Haste Is for Slaves Be-shallaḥ Summary Torat Yisrael: Four Kinds of People Eretz Yisrael: Humility in Victory Am Yisrael: Does God Test Us? Maḥshevet Yisrael: Why Is God Silent? Yitro Summary Torat Yisrael: Jethro the Curious Eretz Yisrael: Israel’s Supreme Court Am Yisrael: A Deal We Couldn’t Refuse Maḥshevet Yisrael: Sometimes Less Is More Mishpatim Summary Torat Yisrael: Law Is Life Eretz Yisrael: The President’s House Am Yisrael: Taking the Torah Seriously, Not Literally Maḥshevet Yisrael: The Death Penalty Terumah Summary Torat Yisrael: Who Lives in the Sanctuary? Eretz Yisrael: Trees of Israel Am Yisrael: Volunteering Is Noble Maḥshevet Yisrael: Our Insides and Outsides Should Match Tetsavveh Summary Torat Yisrael: Does God Need a Nightlight? Eretz Yisrael: Olive Nation Am Yisrael: A People Compared to Olives Maḥshevet Yisrael: Beware of the Anti-Intellectual Ki Tissa’ Summary Torat Yisrael: Are All Perspectives Equally Valid? Eretz Yisrael: The Israel Museum Am Yisrael: Three Books of Rosh Hashanah Maḥshevet Yisrael: Can We Be Forced to Sin? Va-yak’hel Summary Torat Yisrael: The Problem with Democracy Eretz Yisrael: The Bezalel Institute Am Yisrael: Giving Too Much Maḥshevet Yisrael: Doing Too Much Is Like Doing Nothing at All Pekudei Summary Torat Yisrael: Beyond Reproach Eretz Yisrael: The Third Temple Am Yisrael: When Is Compromise Possible? Maḥshevet Yisrael: Only the Rich, Smart, and Strong Need Apply 3. Leviticus Va-yikra’ Summary Torat Yisrael: Courtesy Is God’s Calling Card Eretz Yisrael: Courtesy Comes in Different Flavors Am Yisrael: Animal Sacrifice vs. Prayer Maḥshevet Yisrael: Confession Is Good for the Soul Tsav Summary Torat Yisrael: Courteous Clothing Eretz Yisrael: The Nation’s Sweet Aromas Am Yisrael: What the People Are Expected to Know Maḥshevet Yisrael: The Study of Torah Replaces Sacrifice Shemini Summary Torat Yisrael: Silence in the Face of Tragedy Eretz Yisrael: No Pork on My Fork Am Yisrael: The Pig Is More than Unkosher Maḥshevet Yisrael: Alien Fire Tazria‘ Summary Torat Yisrael: Caring for the Sick Eretz Yisrael: Finding a Leper’s Lonely Grave Am Yisrael: Tearing of Clothing Maḥshevet Yisrael: Life after Serious Illness Metsora‘ Summary Torat Yisrael: Grammar School Eretz Yisrael: Tzara’at and Malicious Gossip Am Yisrael: Money Should Be No Object Maḥshevet Yisrael: Intellectual Modesty ’Aḥarei Mot Summary Torat Yisrael: Can There Be Repentance without Sacrifice? Eretz Yisrael: The Silence of the Judean Desert Am Yisrael: The World’s Unwilling Scapegoat Maḥshevet Yisrael: No Copying! Kedoshim Summary Torat Yisrael: Cause and Effect? Eretz Yisrael: Living in the Midst of Horrific Places Am Yisrael: Desire and Self-Denial Maḥshevet Yisrael: What Is Kedushah? ’Emor Summary Torat Yisrael: Physical Perfection Eretz Yisrael: Pilgrimage Am Yisrael: A People Needs a Calendar Maḥshevet Yisrael: There are Good Arguments and Dangerous Arguments Be-har Summary Torat Yisrael: An Interesting Point of Law Eretz Yisrael: The Sabbatical Year Today Am Yisrael: The Jubilee Year Maḥshevet Yisrael: Slavery and Moral Trajectory Be-ḥukkotai Summary Torat Yisrael: Hostility to God? Eretz Yisrael: Food Insecurity Am Yisrael: Curses and Contracts Maḥshevet Yisrael: Is There Such a Thing as Divine Punishment? 4. Numbers Be-midbar Summary Torat Yisrael: Why Count? Eretz Yisrael: The Israel Defense Forces Am Yisrael: Counting the Victims Maḥshevet Yisrael: When Does Real Adulthood Start? Naso’ Summary Torat Yisrael: Adultery Is Idolatry Eretz Yisrael: The Blessing of Peace Am Yisrael: The People’s Blessing Maḥshevet Yisrael: Holy Disconnection Be-haʿalotekha Summary Torat Yisrael: The Meat Plague Eretz Yisrael: Trumpets and Sirens Am Yisrael: Who Were the Riffraff? Maḥshevet Yisrael: Second Chances Shelaḥ-Lekha Summary Torat Yisrael: Self-Esteem Can Be Selfish Eretz Yisrael: A Land that Flows with Milk and Honey Am Yisrael: The Wandering People Maḥshevet Yisrael: The Priceless Shabbat Koraḥ Summary Torat Yisrael: A Jewish Perspective on Death Eretz Yisrael: Hospitals Give Hope for the Future Am Yisrael: A Reverse Memorial Maḥshevet Yisrael: Desperation Is Forbidden Ḥukkat Summary Torat Yisrael: Honoring Your Parents Eretz Yisrael: ZAKA and Terrorism Am Yisrael: It’s Not about Show Business Maḥshevet Yisrael: Moses and His Achilles’ Heel Balak Summary Torat Yisrael: God Does Not Prevent Sin Eretz Yisrael: Israel’s Architecture Am Yisrael: A Nation that Dwells Apart Maḥshevet Yisrael: Public Morality Pinḥas Summary Torat Yisrael: Avoiding Trickery Eretz Yisrael: An Egalitarian Society Am Yisrael: We Do Not Need a Pope Maḥshevet Yisrael: The New Month Mattot Summary Torat Yisrael: Two Kinds of Promises Eretz Yisrael: The Rebirth of Hebrew Am Yisrael: From Pharaoh to the Faeroes Maḥshevet Yisrael: Since When Is Vengeance Allowed? Mase‘ei Summary Torat Yisrael: The Refuge Cities Eretz Yisrael: A Nation of Refuge Am Yisrael: The Jewish People Is a Shelter Maḥshevet Yisrael: Why Do We Incarcerate? 5. Deuteronomy Devarim Summary Torat Yisrael: Rebuke and Suffering Eretz Yisrael: The Negev Desert Am Yisrael: Storytelling Is Peoplehood Maḥshevet Yisrael: Better Never than Late Va-etḥannan Summary Torat Yisrael: Does God Hate Idols or Idolaters? Eretz Yisrael: Astronomy Is a Mitzvah Am Yisrael: The Shema Maḥshevet Yisrael: God’s Invisibility ‘Ekev Summary Torat Yisrael: Does Prayer Work? Eretz Yisrael: Wild Beasts Am Yisrael: Humility Is a Duty Maḥshevet Yisrael: Our People’s Fate Depends on Us Re’eh Summary Torat Yisrael: Choices Eretz Yisrael: Jerusalem Am Yisrael: Jews Can Be Wrong about Israel and Judaism Maḥshevet Yisrael: Vegetarianism Shofetim Summary Torat Yisrael: A Double Serving of Justice Eretz Yisrael: Fruit-Bearing Trees Are Priceless Am Yisrael: A People Dedicated to Life Maḥshevet Yisrael: Some Are Guilty, All Are Responsible Ki Tetse’ Summary Torat Yisrael: The Rebellious Son Eretz Yisrael: The Sanhedrin Am Yisrael: Banning the World’s Oldest Profession Maḥshevet Yisrael: Cleanliness Is a Prerequisite for Holiness Ki Tavo’ Summary Torat Yisrael: The Seventy Faces of the Torah Eretz Yisrael: Are Jews Obligated to Live in Israel? Am Yisrael: What Does It Mean to Be God’s Holy People? Maḥshevet Yisrael: What Do We Consider Intolerable? Nitsavim Summary Torat Yisrael: We Were All at Sinai Eretz Yisrael: Ingathering of the Exiles Am Yisrael: The Fate of the Ten Tribes Maḥshevet Yisrael: The Torah Is Not in Heaven Va-yelekh Summary Torat Yisrael: Moses Nears Death Eretz Yisrael: The Importance of Hebrew Am Yisrael: Learn Our People’s Song Maḥshevet Yisrael: When God Hides Ha’azinu Summary Torat Yisrael: Is Humanity Powerful? Eretz Yisrael: This Place Is for the Birds! Am Yisrael: Why Do Smart People Do Stupid Things? Maḥshevet Yisrael: “A Full Belly Turns Your Soul to Jelly” Ve-zo’t ha-berakhah Summary Torat Yisrael: Moses Fights with the Angel of Death Eretz Yisrael: Treasures of the Sea and Sand Am Yisrael: A Uniquely Happy People Maḥshevet Yisrael: The Unknown Tomb Notes  

Reviews

Steeped in Jewish sources and the mind of his intended audience, Garfinkel takes an issue about which passions are flaring-Jewish past, present, and future in the Land of Israel-and connects it to the oldest texts of the Jewish people in original, refreshing, and understandable ways. -Rabbi David Komerofsky, Temple Israel, Canton, Ohio -- Rabbi David Komerofsky Rabbi Garfinkel has ingeniously applied the Torah to the significant issues of our times, and I love the questions at the end of each section that inspire us to think deeply. -Rabbi Elliot Dorff, rector and Distinguished Service Professor of Philosophy, American Jewish University -- Rabbi Elliot Dorff Anyone who opens up the wisdom of Torah with so many points of entrance and in such a thoughtful and accessible manner should be congratulated as a master teacher. I look forward to using Rabbi Garfinkel's sensitive and learned guide for my own teaching. -Dr. Jane Shapiro, cofounder, Orot: Center for New Jewish Learning -- Dr. Jane Shapiro For more than twenty years those of us who were first exposed to Rabbi Garfinkel's teaching Torah during summers at Ramah Wisconsin have been asking for an edition of his commentary for the entire yearly cycle of parshiyot. The pedagogic artistry he experimented with in his early work is on full display in The JPS Jewish Heritage Torah Commentary. By organizing his commentary through four dimensions followed by open-ended questions to consider, Rabbi Garfinkel thoroughly enriches the experience of weekly engagement with the Torah text. -Rabbi David Soloff, director emeritus, Camp Ramah, Wisconsin -- Rabbi David Soloff On behalf of every rabbi, Jewish educator, and inquiring mind: Thank you, Rabbi Garfinkel, for this extraordinary contribution to Torah study! Readable and relevant, every page is brimming with scholarship, creativity, inspiration, and love-a must-have for anyone looking to deepen their engagement with Jewish texts or tradition. -Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, Park Avenue Synagogue, New York City -- Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove The JPS Jewish Heritage Torah Commentary promises to become an indispensable component of the modern Jewish library. This expansive, accessible, masterful, and truly inspiring volume is certain to make the study of Torah personally relevant and meaningful to a wide audience of grateful learners, both teachers and students, for years to come. -Rabbi Oren J. Hayon, senior rabbi, Congregation Emanu El, Houston -- Rabbi Oren J. Hayon

The JPS Jewish Heritage Torah Commentary promises to become an indispensable component of the modern Jewish library. This expansive, accessible, masterful, and truly inspiring volume is certain to make the study of Torah personally relevant and meaningful to a wide audience of grateful learners, both teachers and students, for years to come. -Rabbi Oren J. Hayon, senior rabbi, Congregation Emanu El, Houston -- Rabbi Oren J. Hayon On behalf of every rabbi, Jewish educator, and inquiring mind: Thank you, Rabbi Garfinkel, for this extraordinary contribution to Torah study! Readable and relevant, every page is brimming with scholarship, creativity, inspiration, and love-a must-have for anyone looking to deepen their engagement with Jewish texts or tradition. -Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, Park Avenue Synagogue, New York City -- Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove For more than twenty years those of us who were first exposed to Rabbi Garfinkel's teaching Torah during summers at Ramah Wisconsin have been asking for an edition of his commentary for the entire yearly cycle of parshiyot. The pedagogic artistry he experimented with in his early work is on full display in The JPS Jewish Heritage Torah Commentary. By organizing his commentary through four dimensions followed by open-ended questions to consider, Rabbi Garfinkel thoroughly enriches the experience of weekly engagement with the Torah text. -Rabbi David Soloff, director emeritus, Camp Ramah, Wisconsin -- Rabbi David Soloff Anyone who opens up the wisdom of Torah with so many points of entrance and in such a thoughtful and accessible manner should be congratulated as a master teacher. I look forward to using Rabbi Garfinkel's sensitive and learned guide for my own teaching. -Dr. Jane Shapiro, cofounder, Orot: Center for New Jewish Learning -- Dr. Jane Shapiro Rabbi Garfinkel has ingeniously applied the Torah to the significant issues of our times, and I love the questions at the end of each section that inspire us to think deeply. -Rabbi Elliot Dorff, rector and Distinguished Service Professor of Philosophy, American Jewish University -- Rabbi Elliot Dorff Steeped in Jewish sources and the mind of his intended audience, Garfinkel takes an issue about which passions are flaring-Jewish past, present, and future in the Land of Israel-and connects it to the oldest texts of the Jewish people in original, refreshing, and understandable ways. -Rabbi David Komerofsky, Temple Israel, Canton, Ohio -- Rabbi David Komerofsky

Steeped in Jewish sources and the mind of his intended audience, Garfinkel takes an issue about which passions are flaring-Jewish past, present, and future in the Land of Israel-and connects it to the oldest texts of the Jewish people in original, refreshing, and understandable ways. -Rabbi David Komerofsky, Temple Israel, Canton, Ohio -- Rabbi David Komerofsky Rabbi Garfinkel has ingeniously applied the Torah to the significant issues of our times, and I love the questions at the end of each section that inspire us to think deeply. -Rabbi Elliot Dorff, rector and Distinguished Service Professor of Philosophy, American Jewish University -- Rabbi Elliot Dorff Anyone who opens up the wisdom of Torah with so many points of entrance and in such a thoughtful and accessible manner should be congratulated as a master teacher. I look forward to using Rabbi Garfinkel's sensitive and learned guide for my own teaching. -Dr. Jane Shapiro, cofounder, Orot: Center for New Jewish Learning -- Dr. Jane Shapiro For more than twenty years those of us who were first exposed to Rabbi Garfinkel's teaching Torah during summers at Ramah Wisconsin have been asking for an edition of his commentary for the entire yearly cycle of parshiyot. The pedagogic artistry he experimented with in his early work is on full display in The JPS Jewish Heritage Torah Commentary. By organizing his commentary through four dimensions followed by open-ended questions to consider, Rabbi Garfinkel thoroughly enriches the experience of weekly engagement with the Torah text. -Rabbi David Soloff, director emeritus, Camp Ramah, Wisconsin -- Rabbi David Soloff On behalf of every rabbi, Jewish educator, and inquiring mind: Thank you, Rabbi Garfinkel, for this extraordinary contribution to Torah study! Readable and relevant, every page is brimming with scholarship, creativity, inspiration, and love-a must-have for anyone looking to deepen their engagement with Jewish texts or tradition. -Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, Park Avenue Synagogue, New York City -- Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove The JPS Jewish Heritage Torah Commentary promises to become an indispensable component of the modern Jewish library. This expansive, accessible, masterful, and truly inspiring volume is certain to make the study of Torah personally relevant and meaningful to a wide audience of grateful learners, both teachers and students, for years to come. -Rabbi Oren J. Hayon, senior rabbi, Congregation Emanu El, Houston -- Rabbi Oren J. Hayon

Author Information

Rabbi Eli L. Garfinkel is the spiritual leader of Temple Beth El in Somerset, New Jersey. He is the author of three books used by the Ramah camps: Mikraot Ramah, a summer camp commentary on the Torah for teen campers and adult staffs; Dim’ot Ramah, a companion volume on Lamentations; and Torat Ramah, a commentary for younger campers.

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