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Formerly a URJ Press title.
Rabbis, educators, and longtime colleagues, Kerry M. Olitzky and Leonard S. Kravitz have together produced a series of modern commentaries on fundamental Jewish texts. Each of these editions features a line-by-line translation coupled with the original text and commentary, breathing new life into traditional rabbinic readings. Each also contains essays and gleanings that draw upon the works of other scholars to better enhance the reader’s understanding of the subject. This series is a wonderful addition to your Jewish library, whether you are approaching the texts for the first time or the hundredth time. It is suited for both individual reflection and class study.
From the authors of classic modern commentaries on Pirke Avot, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs comes this new volume on the Book of Ruth. A chronicle of loss and despair, love, romance, and hope, the Book of Ruth includes themes and lessons applicable to the lives of contemporary readers: rebuilding a life after extreme loss; conversion to Judaism; women’s roles, sexuality, and legal status; finding love again; and more. The authors incorporate interpretations from the Targum, Rashi, and Ibn Ezra, along with scholarly and contemporary sources to create an engaging and accessible modern commentary on this ancient text. Includes complete Hebrew text of the Book of Ruth, an original translation, commentary, gleanings, and topical essays, and is ideal for adult study, a Tikkun Leil Shavuot, and individual study.
Other works in the Kravitz and Olitzky modern commentary series:
- Shemonah Perakim: A Treatise on the Soul
- Pirke Avot: A Modern Commentary on Jewish Ethics
- Mishlei: A Modern Commentary on Proverbs
- Shir HaShirim: A Modern Commentary on the Song of Songs
- Kohelet: A Modern Commentary on Ecclesiastes
- Sales Rank: #3354022 in Books
- Brand: Brand: Urj Press
- Published on: 2005-03-01
- Released on: 2005-03-01
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: .25" h x 7.63" w x 9.95" l, .51 pounds
- Binding: Paperback
- 80 pages
- Used Book in Good Condition
Language Notes
Text: English, Hebrew
About the Author
Kerry M. Olitzky, D.H.L., is the executive director of the Jewish Outreach Institute. Dr. Olitzky was ordained a rabbi by Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, where he served the faculty and administration for fifteen years. In addition to the books he has co-authored with Dr. Kravitz, he is the author of numerous other books.
Dr. Kravitz is Professor Emeritus of Midrash & Homiletics at HUC-JIR/New York. He received his undergraduate degree from John Carroll University and ws ordained by the Cincinnati School of HUC-JIR where he received the degrees of Master of Hebrew Letters and Doctor of Philosophy. He teaches Medieval Jewish Philosophy and Midrash and specializes in Maimonidean studies.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
The Song of Songs, known in Hebrew as Shir HaShirim gained importance as a sacred text because of its various interpretations rather than its plain meaning. The book is a collection of erotic love poetry whose sexual images are somewhat softened only by the amount of time that has passed between the compilation of the book and our day. It is a dialogue between two lovers that is marked by love songs, poetic dialogues, and monologues. Some just call it a love poem—or a series of love poems—that champions the physical expression of that love. The lovers who are the main characters in this book express their physical yearnings in frank terms and graphic sexual images, even as they communicate their more profound and enduring love for one another. Their love deepens their appreciation for the beautiful landscape that provides a context for their relationship and is, as well, exquisitely described. As a result, some of the most exceptional poetry in the Bible is contained in the Song of Songs. The transformation from love poetry to Holy Scripture (Kitvei HaKodesh) reflects both cultural development and a concomitant shifting of values.
Most helpful customer reviews
41 of 47 people found the following review helpful.
Five-Star Text, Three-Star Commentary
By A Customer
"Pirke Avot" (the "Chapter of the Fathers") is a tractate of the Mishnah that collects not laws but sayings of the tannaitic Rabbis, mostly concerning the virtues of Torah study and the proper conduct of scholars. It is one of the classics of rabbinic literature, included (in whole or in part) in most prayer books, and the source of many familiar sayings. The picture it presents of Torah study as a democratic ideal, available to all and instilling a generous humility and respect for others, is a goal we can still admire and aspire to.
The translation and commentary presented here is helpful but leaves something to be desired. Each passage of Avot is followed by a brief commentary, generally identifying the rabbis quoted, providing some quasi-historical background on them and their relationship to other quoted rabbis, clarifying obscure phrases and summarizing the thoughts of Rashi, Maimonides and Bartinoro on many of the passages. (The introduction might lead one to think that the commentary also summarizes "Avot de Rabbi Natan" and Yom Tov Lippman Heller's commentary, but I found only a few references to either of these works.) This commentary is very helpful for understanding the plain meaning of the text, but seldom goes beyond the plain meaning to explore the theological or ethical significance of the passage. (A few passages that make the Reform editors uncomfortable are noteable exceptions -- here the commentary notes that "we modern Jews" look at things differently. While I agree with the modern conclusions, I found this condescending attitude annoying and unnecessary.)
Each chapter of Pirke Avot is followed by a section of brief essays (usually two or three paragraphs) by the editors on "salient themes." These often seemed more tangential than salient to me (a brief statement in Avot 3:1 that we return to dust leads to an essay on Jewish views on cremation), but they were interesting and provided further background on various aspects of traditional Jewish history, practice and thought. The brief essays are followed by section of somewhat longer "gleanings" from the works of various Reform or liberal Jewish thinkers. These tend to be quite tangential and are plainly intended to provide food for thought and discussion, not to answer questions. A few of them seemed more than a little out-dated, but in general the selection was interesting, if obviously slanted toward a Reform view of the world.
A final note on the translation, which is colloquial and inclusive. The former (particularly the use of contractions, which to my ear made too many passages sound like "don't be a don't bee") was irritating to me, but that's a matter of taste. The attempt to be inclusive (i.e., to use gender-neutral language), however, led on more than one occasion to translations that were so awkward they were a distraction ("everyone has one's moment"), which I find more difficult to forgive.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful.
A very thought provoking book. Is it hedonistic?
By Israel Drazin
Kohelet, its Hebrew name, Ecclesiastes in English, is one of the twenty-four books of the Hebrew Bible. Both names mean "assembly" or "assembler." The book's author states that he was the son of King David and a king in Jerusalem. Yet, we know of no son of David called Kohelet and no one by that name was a king in Jerusalem. This is one of many problems in this sacred book.
The foremost difficulty is its apparent hedonistic view, such as the following: "Go, eat your bread with joy and an easy mind. Drink your wine, for God (Elohim) has already approved what you have done." "Enjoy life with a woman you love all the fleeting days that are given to you...for this is what you get out of life and from the exertions that you labor under the sun." "Understanding is better than giving sacrifices as fools do." "What happens to people, happens to animals.... Being human has no advantage over being a beast. Everything is useless," a view far different from traditional Jewish thinking. Besides the apparent hedonism, Kohelet is also a misogynist, as when he writes: "a woman is bitterer than death. She is a trap. Her heart is a snare. Her hands are chains. He who has God's favor avoids her."
Second, the word Elohim frequently but not always means God in the Hebrew Bible, but it literally means "the powerful one," and is also used to describe a judge and strong people. Kohelet uses it thirty six times, as in the above quote, and he may not be referring to the deity in all of these verses. He may mean nature or the way things are in the world. Thus, in the above quote he may be saying enjoy all the fine things in life for this is natural, the best way to live.
Third, many verses seem to contradict one another, as if a second and perhaps even a third editor tried to modify or revise the author's seemingly audacious and possibly heterodox declarations into views generally held by most Jews. The hand of another writer is especially clear in the final six verses of the book where the text switches from Kohelet speaking to another person who describes Kohelet as a wise man, a teacher, a writer of parables and truth. Then, after a book filled with seemingly hedonistic views, the volume ends by saying that people should "revere God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man." If these are the words of an editor, the original version of Kohelet ends in 12:8, just as it began, "Total uselessness, says Kohelet, everything is useless."
In the second century of the Common Era, the rabbis debated whether to include Kohelet, which was most likely composed around the second century BCE, in the Hebrew Bible canon. Some rabbis opposed it, but it was included. Kravitz and Olitzky offer readers a new translation of the book and a commentary on every verse. Thus, the traditional, "Vanity of vanities, says Kohelet, vanity of vanities, all is vanity," is rendered "It is all useless, Kohelet said, it is all useless. Everything is useless." Virtually all the commentaries that they use are from Rashi (1040-1105) and the Aramaic translation of the book. Rashi relied on this Aramaic translation, which was most likely composed after the completion of the Babylonian Talmud in the mid-sixth century and before the Arab conquest of Israel in the seventh. Kravitz and Olitzky also have some commentaries of Abraham ibn Ezra (1089-1164); including some notions that Kohelet is referring to the powers of astrology. These sources do not explain the plain meaning of the Kohelet passages. They portray Kohelet as a very religious man who is encouraging his readers to accept and follow the proper way to serve God and to act with moral behavior. Thus, for example, although Kohelet doesn't mention punishment for misdeeds after death, they read it into his words. Rashi interprets the statement about women, mentioned above, as referring to heretical beliefs that must be avoided, not women. Also, the Aramaic translation frequently states that Kohelet is speaking of past events that should be emulated, such as some religious act performed by the patriarch Abraham.
The authors include several pages after each of Kohelet's twelve chapters explaining different concepts, such as the Davidic kingdom and its restoration, and "Gleanings" from other books that touch upon ideas in the chapters. Whether readers of the original Kohelet prefer to accept its plain meaning or favor the homiletical versions, Kohelet is a good book to provoke thought.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful.
Truly a Gem!
By Jewish Senior Citizen
This book is accurately and tenderly written;a winning combination. Maisel and Shubert successfully reworked some famous old folk tales while effectively adding their originals to the mix. Their humor can be enjoyed by all ages. Their stories help to perpetuate Jewish heritage, traditions and customs that might otherwise be lost with the passing of previous generations. I actually wish that there were more that 52 weeks in a year. Whether you buy this collection for yourself or as a gift, it truly is a gem!
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