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?

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

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.

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.

The Complete Jewish Bible introduction includes:

Keep Smiling [:)]

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.

Reading this thread cost me $48