Oy vey - Another Genesis question

Can anyone suggest a Logos resource that interpret the Book of Genesis from a Jewish perspective?

Looking for something like the book, Genesis: With Talmudic Commentary from Logos, but don't know anything about the resource.

Are there more up to date books, once again in Logos.

My library is pretty well non-existent with commentary etc., from Jewish eyes.

mm.

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James C.

How about:

https://www.logos.com/product/3930/the-jps-torah-commentary-genesis

Looks good.

Sorry to bother you again, Milkman! It's raining herre, ruining a perfectly sunny springtime (though the wildflowers love it).

First, there's no 'jewish perspective' (singular). And second, what period? Philo in the first century, for example, writes up a storm on Genesis, happily describing it as a figment of someone's imagination (ie symbolic; not literal). Josephus was immensely proud but had a harder time than Philo. The various pseudepigrapha delight in Genesis, pretty much re-writing it (their favorite being the sons of God). As you already noted the Talmud makes significant use of Genesis to build various arguments/decisions, followed by 'middle-ages' discussions. Plus there's the more modern (and conservative) ones noted above.

I'm very sure MJ has a favorite too. So, what direction are you seeking?

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

Can anyone suggest a Logos resource that interpret the Book of Genesis from a Jewish perspective?

Searching Library for:

Genesis (Jewish, Talmud)

found 15 resources, including Genesis: With Talmudic Commentary

Ariel's Bible Commentary => https://www.logos.com/product/4852/ariels-bible-commentary-the-book-of-genesis

Book of Jubilees => https://www.logos.com/product/5691/the-book-of-jubilees

Hill of Spices => https://www.logos.com/product/17023/hills-of-spices-poetry-from-the-bible

JPS Torah => https://www.logos.com/product/3930/the-jps-torah-commentary-genesis

Walk Messianic Jewish => https://www.logos.com/product/3334/walk-messianic-jewish-devotional-commentary-collection

A Walk in the Garden => https://www.logos.com/product/15132/walk-in-the-garden-biblical-iconographical-and-literary-images-of-eden

Keep Smiling [:)]

MJ. Smith

You've received several excellent answers. The first book on this list I recommend as initial reading for anyone with any interest in Jewish interpretation - it gives you an appropriate perspective for everything else you read. It's an account of a contemporary group of Jewish laity in New York meeting regularly to study Genesis.

Reading the Book: Making the Bible a Timeless Text by Burton L. Visotzky (essential to understanding Jewish perspective)
Baal Shem Tov Genesis Exodus (Volume 1) by Rabb Eliezer Shore (Hasidic Judaism)
Adam as Israel: Genesis 1-3 as the Introduction to the Torah and Tanakh by Seth D. Postell
Between the Lines of the Bible by Yitzchak Etshalom (literal interpretation the Jewish way - Exodus volume better than Genesis but still essential for its methods)
The Last Trial--On the Legends and Lore of the Command to Abraham to Offer Isaac as a Sacrifice: The Akedah by Shalom Spiegel and Judah Goldin
Armenian Apocrypha Relating to Abraham by Michael E. Stone (just to throw in something exotic to broaden the prespective)
One on the Trials of Abraham that I can't recall author or title - but it's very good.
What's Bothering Rashi? by Avigor Bonchek available in book form or online

Milkman

What do you think about these?

Studies in Talmud and Midrash Collection

MJ. Smith

Studies in Talmud and Midrash Collection

I found them useful introductions. However, if you have absolutely no background I would read Torah Through Time by Shai Cherry first.

Simon’s Brother

You've received several excellent answers. The first book on this list I recommend as initial reading for anyone with any interest in Jewish interpretation - it gives you an appropriate perspective for everything else you read. It's an account of a contemporary group of Jewish laity in New York meeting regularly to study Genesis.

Reading the Book: Making the Bible a Timeless Text by Burton L. Visotzky (essential to understanding Jewish perspective)

Baal Shem Tov Genesis Exodus (Volume 1) by Rabb Eliezer Shore (Hasidic Judaism)

Adam as Israel: Genesis 1-3 as the Introduction to the Torah and Tanakh by Seth D. Postell

Between the Lines of the Bible by Yitzchak Etshalom (literal interpretation the Jewish way - Exodus volume better than Genesis but still essential for its methods)

The Last Trial--On the Legends and Lore of the Command to Abraham to Offer Isaac as a Sacrifice: The Akedah by Shalom Spiegel and Judah Goldin

Armenian Apocrypha Relating to Abraham by Michael E. Stone (just to throw in something exotic to broaden the prespective)

One on the Trials of Abraham that I can't recall author or title - but it's very good.

What's Bothering Rashi? by Avigor Bonchek available in book form or online

Thanks helpful list. Need these as a collection in Logos.

David Paul

You've received several excellent answers. The first book on this list I recommend as initial reading for anyone with any interest in Jewish interpretation - it gives you an appropriate perspective for everything else you read. It's an account of a contemporary group of Jewish laity in New York meeting regularly to study Genesis.

Reading the Book: Making the Bible a Timeless Text by Burton L. Visotzky (essential to understanding Jewish perspective)

Baal Shem Tov Genesis Exodus (Volume 1) by Rabb Eliezer Shore (Hasidic Judaism)

Adam as Israel: Genesis 1-3 as the Introduction to the Torah and Tanakh by Seth D. Postell

Between the Lines of the Bible by Yitzchak Etshalom (literal interpretation the Jewish way - Exodus volume better than Genesis but still essential for its methods)

The Last Trial--On the Legends and Lore of the Command to Abraham to Offer Isaac as a Sacrifice: The Akedah by Shalom Spiegel and Judah Goldin

Armenian Apocrypha Relating to Abraham by Michael E. Stone (just to throw in something exotic to broaden the prespective)

One on the Trials of Abraham that I can't recall author or title - but it's very good.

What's Bothering Rashi? by Avigor Bonchek available in book form or online

Thanks helpful list. Need these as a collection in Logos.

MJ, you should suggest these for Logos.

Milkman

If/since it's true that there is no single Jewish interpretation of Torah AND that there are seventy faces to the Torah (Num. Rab. 3.15//) does a book exist that has some/many/all interpreters commenting on verses?

So if one wanted to find out what some/many/all Jewish interpretations of Genesis 1.1 was, is there a book or something that combines all interpretations into a set of books? Or would you have to buy individual authors/books/volums on each book in the Hb. Bible?

Or, would it be much like what was said of the Christian Messiah that were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

mm.

David Paul

Sounds like you're asking for an "exegetical summaries" of Jewish Tohraah commentary. I doubt any such thing exists, apart from the Mishnah & Talmud...and the Midrashiym...and the middle ages and modern commentaries...and you get the picture. Also, "seventy" is a kind of perfect number in Biblical ideology, so it isn't necessarily to be taken as literal. Btw, if you haven't heard me or anyone else say it, the supposed "613 laws" of the Tohraah is a made up number as well. Not saying it isn't arrived at by counting; it's just that there are many different counts and lists of 613, and there are some really obvious discrepancies in what is found in the raw data of the Book and the various numbered breakdowns of the laws.

Just a bit of suggestive insight to keep in mind while you study. Keep that salt shaker you use for Barker's stuff handy when reading the Jewish works. They do occasionally have insights that are valuable, but at pretty much the same rate as any other set of humans who say stuff about Scripture--in other words, not all that often.

Milkman

Thanks David. I have much to learn about the Jewish way. At times it's a bit too overwhelming what with all the study. At times I do not know which way to turn my attention which frustrates me. But, a little at a time, eventually turns into something larger.

yes I have had some very good suggestions about books. Most I have bought. So I guess this will take time.

Btw does it offend to write out Yahweh name in the three letters?

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

The Complete Jewish Bible introduction includes:

Keep Smiling [:)]

David Paul

Btw does it offend to write out Yahweh name in the three letters?

KS4J's excerpt indicates that the ever expanding hedge around the law appears to have encompassed this as well, at least for some Jews. I don't consider myself a deliberate nose tweaker, but I do believe it is inevitable that others will feel tweaked by things I say from time to time. I have read a few spirited defenses as to why the Name is given this kid glove, euphemistic treatment, and they all tend to revolve around the idea of honoring the Name as being holy. That is an honorable gesture...and on some levels it can even be wise...even life preserving. However, not all efforts to maintain holiness are appropriately dutiful. I think being cautious regarding YHWH's Name is wise. I think not using His Name in the ways He intends for it to be used is something less than wise. I think the hedges of Jewish oral law, including much related to the Name, are a violation of Deut. 4:2 and Deut. 12:32. I think that using the Name to encourage human obedience to the One to whom it refers is an appropriate use of the Name. Just be careful.

Boaz used the Name to great his workers, and they returned the greeting. Ruth 2:4 That isn't exemplary of fastidious non-use for considerations of holiness. It is rather using the Name to bless others...by showing oneself to be considerate of Him in one's dealings.

By the way, I am working on a book right now about the Name, and the main consideration isn't about how it is pronounced. It is about what the Name means. It is a prophetic Name that reveals (will reveal) aspects of Him and His work and His methods and the certainty of His victory. It also reveals things about Him that are virtually unknown, mainly because that is just how He has chosen for His plan to prophetically play out. Jer. 23:20; Jer. 30:24. In the end, all understand precisely what it means to fear His Name.

BKMitchell

...if one wanted to find out what some/many/all Jewish interpretations of Genesis 1.1 was, is there a book or something that combines all interpretations into a set of books?

Hello Milkman,

Yes, what you want is the, Mikraot Gedolot

Check the following out at link below (click on 'Look Inside' to preview)

http://www.mysefer.com/prodtype.asp?cookiecheck=yes&PT_ID=81

Here is some information about what the Mikraot Gedolot is:

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikraot_Gedolot

(2) http://people.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/TalmudMap/MG.html

Now, there if a the full Mikraot Gedolot is a little much for you and if you find Rashi script difficult you will simply love:

The Chumash Chorev Full Set Ha-Menukad. It was the a few commentaries and a Targum.

http://www.judaism.com/chumash-chorev-full-set-ha-menukad/dp/BCJDA/

David Knoll

Hello Milkman,

Yes, what you want is the, Mikraot Gedolot

Check the following out at link below (click on 'Look Inside' to preview)

http://www.mysefer.com/prodtype.asp?cookiecheck=yes&PT_ID=81

Here is some information about what the Mikraot Gedolot is:

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikraot_Gedolot

(2) http://people.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/TalmudMap/MG.html

Now, there if a the full Mikraot Gedolot is a little much for you and if you find Rashi script difficult you will simply love:

The Chumash Chorev Full Set Ha-Menukad. It was the a few commentaries and a Targum.

http://www.judaism.com/chumash-chorev-full-set-ha-menukad/dp/BCJDA/

Brian is right Miqraot Gedolot is the place to start. You'll need a translated edition:

http://jps.org/about/news.php?id=141

However Genesis isn't out yet. How is your German?

Veli Voipio

Reading this thread cost me $48

Gary Butner, Th.D.

I have copies of Umberto Cassuito's Genesis (2 vol.) and Exodus in hardback. They are excellent.