The JPS Rashi Discussion Torah Commentary

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The JPS Rashi Discussion Torah Commentary

Steven and Sarah Levy

JPS Study Bible Series

216 pages
2 indexes

Paperback

January 2018

978-0-8276-1269-3

$29.95 Add to Cart
eBook (PDF)
Ebook purchases delivered via Leaf e-Reader

January 2018

978-0-8276-1347-8

$29.95 Add to Cart

About the Book

Rashi, the medieval French rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki (1040–1105), authored monumental commentaries on the Hebrew Bible and the Babylonian Talmud. With The JPS Rashi Discussion Torah Commentary, his commentary on the Torah—regarded as the most authoritative of all Torah commentaries—is finally accessible to the entire Jewish community.


Steven and Sarah Levy quote from the biblical text in both Hebrew and English, highlight Rashi’s comments relating to the parashah, and delve into his perceptive moral messages in the context of twenty-first-century dilemmas. Each portion features three essays with analysis and discussion questions that draw on universal human experiences, enabling families and Shabbat study groups to deepen their understanding of Rashi and the portion over the three Sabbath meals.


Readers with little or no knowledge of Hebrew, the Torah, or Jewish practice will feel comfortable diving into this discussion commentary. All Hebrew terms are defined, quoted verses contextualized, and less familiar Jewish concepts explained.
 

Author Bio

Steven Levy is an attorney and director of a real estate investment fund. Sarah Levy is a licensed neuropsychologist who lectures and works with children and families.
 
 

Praise

"The Levys use Rashi's brilliance to generate lively discussions about our own lives. Selections of his insightful and often surprising ideas, translated into terse, clear and straightforward English, illuminate and explain interesting points and ask revealing questions about phrases and words in the Torah portion."—Chana Shapiro, Atlanta Jewish Times

"This is a book for anyone who wants to get a better understanding of the Torah and its relevance to our lives and times."—Reviews by Amos Lassen

"The JPS Rashi Discussion Torah Commentary is an excellent way for those unfamiliar with Rashi to begin studying his commentary. . . . The essays and questions offer discussion material for a variety of ages—from children to adults. The book is a good resource for use in adult study sessions or Hebrew school classes."—Rabbi Rachel Esserman, Reporter Group

“Steven and Sarah Levy have written an engaging invitation to think about Rashi’s commentary to the Torah and its implications for today. It should prove helpful to families and educators, enhancing their learning and Shabbat experiences.”—Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, emeritus chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Commonwealth
 

“I have not seen anything like it. Its systematic focus on Rashi, with good stories and questions, helps us to understand and apply Rashi’s teachings to our modern lives.”—Rabbi Gerald Friedman, emeritus rabbi of Temple Beth Sholom of Pascack Valley, New Jersey
 

“A great way to learn Rashi together as a family.”—Rabbi Neal Gold, Association of Reform Zionists of America 
 

“Fun, deep, and engaging, this wonderful guidebook is guaranteed to get everyone talking about the Torah portion.”—Ruchama King Feuerman, author of In the Courtyard of the Kabbalist 

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction

Genesis
Bere’shit
Contesting the Inheritance
Rest: An Affirmative Creation
What the First Man Could Have Learned from the Thirty-Third U.S. President

Noaḥ
Nature versus Nurture
The Power of Persuasion
United Nations

Lekh Lekha
The Immigrant Experience
Ladies First
Consider It Done

Va-yera’
Healing without a Medical License
Learning by Doing
Your Money or Your Life

Ḥayyei Sarah
A Full Glass
Woman of Valor
Leash Your Dog

Toledot
Rags to Riches
It’s Not My Fault
Death and Taxes

Va-yetse’
Making a Difference
No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service
An Attitude of Gratitude

Va-yishlaḥ
Conflict Resolution
Sweat Equity
Who Is Wealthy?

Va-yeshev
WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) 
Favoritism
An Observant Jew

Mikkets
Who Is Powerful? 
BFF (Best Friends Forever) 
The Choice Is Yours

Va-yiggash
When Honesty Is Not the Best Policy
Grandparents
Jewish Continuity

Va-yeḥi
A Final Request
The Evil Eye
Blessing Children

Exodus
Shemot
Name-Calling
Growing Up
Courage of Conviction

Va-’era’
Family Matters
Showing Gratitude
Peaceful Coexistence

Bo’
Know Your Audience
Private Display of Protection
Holy Days

Be-shallaḥ
The Heart That Sings
A Voice of Their Own
Honor the Student

Yitro
First Person
National Unity
Be Prepared

Mishpatim
Criminal Treatment
Charity Begins at Home
Robin Hood

Terumah
Collective Responsibility
I Don’t Know
Visual Aids

Tetsavveh
Good to the First Drop
Always on My Mind
From My Perspective

Ki Tissa’
Age of Majority
Paradigm Shift
Accentuate the Positive

Va-yak’hel
TGIF    
Pedigree
Name Recognition

Pekudei
Public Accounting
Check Out Your Assumptions
Just Do It (Right)

Leviticus
Va-yikra’
Terms of Endearment
Time to Reflect
Leadership

Tsav
Change of Clothes
Environmental Impact
Reframing Language

Shemini
Drinking Responsibly
Humility
Creatures as Teachers

Tazria‘
Revealing Wrongdoing
20/20    
Sticks and Stones

Metsora‘
Twitter    
Die Goldene Medina
Flipper    

’Aḥarei Mot
Family Business
Blood Libel
Law and Order

Kedoshim
Do Something!
Making Excuses
Everyone’s Business

’Emor
Nobel Nobleman
It’s the Thought That Counts
Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow

Be-har
Universal Care
Early Intervention
Employee Relations

Be-ḥukkotai
Worth the Effort
The Blessing of Peace
Strength in Numbers

Numbers
Be-midbar
Love Languages
In Loco Parentis
Good Neighbors

Naso’
Musical Accompaniment
Keeping What You Have
Holy Matrimony

Be-ha‘alotekha
Catching Flies
Retirement
Returning Lost Objects

Shelaḥ-Lekha
The Blessing of a Skinned Knee
A Separate Piece
Strings Attached

Koraḥ
Bad Neighbors
Cooling-Off Period
Pursuing Peace

Ḥukkat
Outsider-Insider Relations
Strong Suit
Forgive and Forget

Balak
Common Enemies
Free to Choose
Rise and Shine

Pinḥas
Order    
Leading by Example
Going the Extra Mile

Mattot
The Sound of Silence
Anger Costs
Children First

Mase‘ei
A Matter of Perspective
Name That Town
Urban Planning

Deuteronomy
Devarim
Veiled Criticism
George Washington Slept Here
Mirror Image

Va-etḥannan
It’s All a Gift
The Challenges of Leadership
Modesty

‘Ekev
Don’t Tread on Me
Follow-Through
Mameloshen

Re’eh
Personal Best
According to His Needs
Spring Break

Shofetim
Honorable Discharge
Protecting the Environment
Kindness to Strangers

Ki Tetse’
Lending a Hand
Acknowledging the Good
Newlyweds

Ki Tavo’
Keeping It Fresh
Counting Your Blessings
Taking Ownership

Nitsavim/Va-yelekh
Empathy
Not in Heaven
Choose Life

Ha’azinu
Jewish Exceptionalism
Loyalty
Consolation Prizes

Ve-zo’t ha-berakhah
The Last Lecture
Forever Young
Shalom in the Home

Subject Index
Index of Sources

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