For the believing Jew today, no less than for those in the past, the study of the weekly Torah portion is a religious experience. For this reason it is customary to consider the section along with its traditional commentaries. It is important to know not only what the Torah meant when it was written, but also what it has meant within Judaism since then. It is also important for intellectual honesty to distinguish between the two. Moderns also have the advantage of using the results of linguistic studies and comparative studies of other ancient texts as well as archaeological finds to help us better understand the text. The Torah reflects an entire world-view concerning the nature of God and of human beings, the task of Israel and the way in which we are to live. Thus it is an ancient text that is ever new and always renewing itself. One studies it not only to learn what was, but also to discover what we are and how we are to live. These prefaces are meant to complement and enrich your study of the portion by pointing out important ideas found therein and raising problems and questions for consideration. Enter into the Torah text with this insightful companion and experience the full impact of the age-old and totally new weekly portion.
Rabbi Reuven Hammer received his rabbinic ordination and doctorate in theology from the Jewish Theological Seminary and a PhD from the School of Speech of Northwestern University. He headed the Israel programs of the Jewish Theological Seminary in Jerusalem and was also the founding director of the Seminary of Judaic Studies, today the Schechter Institute. The Jerusalem Post runs Rabbi Hammer s column Tradition Today. Two of his books, Sifre: A Tannaitic Commentary on the Book of Deuteronomy and Entering the High Holy Days, were awarded the National Jewish Book Council prize. He has also written The Jerusalem Anthology, Entering Jewish Prayer and The Classic Midrash, as well as a commentary on Siddur Sim Shalom entitled Or Hadash. Rabbi Hammer is currently the Head of the Rabbinical Court of the Rabbinical Assembly of Israel and a member of the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the international Rabbinical Assembly. He and his wife, Rahel, a Judaica artist, live in Jerusalem.
"Entering Torah is a warm, welcoming embrace, a door opening to a world of wisdom, compassion and spirit, and the guiding hand of a master teacher and rabbinic sage. I can t think of a better companion to explore the ways that God, Jews and the world have loved each other across the ages!" -- Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, Dean, Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, Vice President, American Jewish University
"What a wonderfully enlightening and inspiring set of introductions to the Torah readings! Rabbi Hammer calls on a rich feast of philosophy, archaeology, science, law and literature to make the Torah readings relevant to the modern, college-educated Jew of the 21st century. Rather than dodging the hard questions that the Torah raises, he helps us confront them and formulate an intelligent, honest and meaningful appreciation of what the Torah can and does teach us." -- Rabbi Elliot Dorff, Ph.D. Rector and Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, American Jewish University
"A veritable thesaurus of ideas and insights based on the weekly Torah portions, all of which are relevant to us today. This is must reading for all who wish to taste and learn from the wellsprings of our Book of Books and to become immersed in the wisdom of ages. Shalom Paul Professor Emeritus and Former Chair of the Bible Department Hebrew University, Jerusalem A valuable resource for individual reading as well as study groups ... I recommend it with enthusiasm." -- Professor Jeffrey H Tigay, University of Pennsylvania
