Overview

Unlocking the Torah Text provides an in-depth journey into the Torah portion through a series of studies on each parsha. Each study opens with a brief summary of the narrative and then presents probing questions designed to strike to the core of the text. These questions are addressed through a review of traditional commentaries spanning the ages, combined with original approaches. Deep philosophical issues and perplexing textual questions are carefully examined and discussed in clear and incisive fashion. The actions and motivations of the patriarchs, matriarchs and other biblical figures are probed with an eye towards determining the lessons to be learned from the lives of these great personalities. Clear distinction is made between pshat (straightforward literal meaning) and Midrash (rabbinical exegesis) as both of these approaches to biblical text are carefully defined and applied. Finally, thought-provoking connections are raised between the eternal Torah narrative and critical issues of our time. Each study is thus constructed to encourage continued discussion and study of the Torah narrative.

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In Unlocking the Torah Text, Goldin provides the reader with a useful aid to understanding the biblical text. Writing in a pleasant, lucid style, he identifies the main questions, and in a modern idiom discusses some of the classic approaches. He carries his learning lightly so as to meet the challenges of the text and stimulate debate of the issues. A highly readable and thoughtful work. --Aviva Zornberg, author of Genesis: The Beginning of Desire, winner of the National Jewish Book Award New and refreshing insights... Rabbi Goldin acts as a responsible teacher of Torah, letting the text speak for itself... Unlocking the Torah Text is a very good book indeed, challenging the reader to use his native intelligence in reading the Good Book as God's Book --Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, Chancellor of Yeshiva University Rabbi Shmuel Goldin has rendered an extraordinary service... challenging us with fascinating questions, he presents unique solutions to problems that we might never have noticed but which are critical to our understanding of the text. Sabbath discussions in the pulpit or around the table will be greatly enriched by his analysis. --Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, spiritual leader of Congregation, Kehilath Jeshurun, New York City Unlocking the Torah Text: Shmot is not just another commentary that gives it all on a silver plate. Rabbi Goldin begins each section with challenges that will spark thoughtful conversation, thereby walking in the footsteps of Nehama Leibowitz. He concludes with a series of questions that will be debated each week in our homes and synagogues. Rabbi Goldin brings back a passion and a love in exploring biblical text. --David Nekrutman, executive director of Ohr Torah Stone's Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding & Cooperation, The Jewish Press, 21 January, 2009 New and refreshing insights... Rabbi Goldin acts as a responsible teacher of Torah, letting the text speak for itself...Unlocking the Torah Text is a very good book indeed, challenging the reader to use his native intelligence in reading the Good Book as God s Book. --Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, Chancellor of Yeshiva University

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