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ABRAVANEL'S WORLD OF TORAH Bereshit Renaissance Torah Press Second Edition Exploration and discovery—these are Abravanel’s hallmarks. With unequaled passion for probing Biblical mysteries, a quest begins. Limitless gems of eternal wisdom enticingly sparkle at every destination. Bereshit, a room of locked secrets, contains many doors. Thankfully, millennia of scholars and commentators have handed down hallowed keys for posterity. Utilizing integrated knowledge of the entire Bible coupled with Sinai’s Oral Traditions—together the sum total of Man’s moral and ethical knowledge— Geonim and Rishonim gradually cracked Torah’s vaults ajar. A fifteenth century tour de force, Don Yitzchak Abravanel’s magnum opus thoroughly revolutionized Biblical exegesis. His works have never been translated from their original Hebrew. Until now. (Continued on back flap) (Continued from front flap) Bar Eitan’s zest for Abravanel’s masterpiece began when he started teaching Tanach. As a new teacher, he hoped that the small-print, double- columned pages would provide some deeper textual insight. Lightly annotated with practically no typical sentence, paragraph or page structure, the available edition had a frugal feel to it. But Bar Eitan soon realized that this sefer was different than other commentaries he utilized when preparing for classes. Very different. Abravanel is not merely a commentary; he is an encyclopedia. Extraordinarily gifted with rare intellectual acumen, this master expositor approaches Torah with reason. Clearly graced with good-heartedness, he writes with feeling. Blessed with a scientist’s curiosity, he writes with expanse. A fervent scion of Davidic dynasty, he writes with reverence. This sefer is for those interested in embarking on a journey. The pages that follow are a structured interpretation of Abravanel’s Bereshit. An excellent guide and companion to the original, the reader delves into a world of Torah—page by page. Biblical narratives read like a novel and mini- essays impart sensible guidelines for approaching Man’s biggest existential questions. Indeed, Abravanel was a multifaceted personality of many questions. Fortunately for students of Bible, he was a deeply reflective and remarkable scholar who provided compelling, thought- provoking and enduring answers. Photo: Courtesy of Chaim Snow Renaissance Torah Press Park City [email protected] www.abravanelsworldoftorah.com Praise for Abravanel’s World of Torah “Zev Bar Eitan has paved the way for the reader to enter the profound parshanut of Don Isaac Abarbanel. This sefer provides the tools that are necessary for a greater understanding and appreciation of a monumental commentary on Torah!!” Rabbi Sholom Gold, Dean, Avrom Silver Jerusalem College for Adults, an educational arm of the OU Israel Center in Jerusalem Founding Rav of Kehillat ZichronYoseph in Har Nof “An enjoyable and serious interpretative translation of Don Yitzchak Abarbanel’s enduring commentary on Genesis (Bereshit) by a Talmid Chacham, whose accomplishment here inspires and gladdens me. I heartily recommend it!” Rabbi Meyer H. May, Executive Director, Simon Wiesenthal Center “Abarbanel’s penetrating, sophisticated and illuminating commentary is rendered into accessible yet accurate English, opening it up to a new generation of Torah students.” Rabbi Daniel Landes, Director Pardes Institute “Zev Bar Eitan's enthusiastic introduction to the Abarbanel’s commentary will be of great value to those who have hesitated to tackle this dense, complex work. Using contemporary language, Bar Eitan creates a unique combination of partial translation and summary, which helps render the Abarbanel's commentary accessible to the modern reader.” Simi Peters, author of the critically acclaimed Learning to Read Midrash (Urim Publications) “Zev Bar Eitan’s new work is a gift to the English speaking audience. Until now Abarbanel’s brilliant Torah commentary was inaccessible to non-Hebrew speakers. With this new translation and explanation a whole new uncharted world has been revealed. Bar Eitan’s clear, eminently readable presentation makes this book an important “must have” addition to the English Torah library.” Chana Tannenbaum, Ed.D. Lectures in Bar Ilan University, sought after lecturer in Tanach and education “Zev Bar Eitan has taken upon himself a formidable undertaking—opening up the works of the Abarbanel to the English speaking public. The work produced is interesting reading—the thoughts of a Torah giant over 500 years ago in terminology understandable to the modern reader. The fact that it is NOT just translation but an English language rendition makes the reading much smoother. The book can also be of much assistance to those who can undertake reading in Hebrew but wish to make sure that they understand what they are reading.” Deena Zimmerman, MD MPH IBCLC Author of A Lifetime Companion to the Laws of Jewish Family Life, international lecturer on Jewish Medical Ethics ZEV BAR EITAN WORLD OF TORAH Bereshit: Theory of Moral Evolution A Structured Interpretation “An outstanding translation of the fascinating commentary by the last of the Spanish greats. [Storyline] reads as masterful narrative!” – Rabbi Berel Wein, Rav, Beit Knesset HaNassi, Jerusalem Director, Destiny Foundation “... A major contribution to Torah literature... ” – Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski M.D. Author of more than 60 books, Founder & Medical Director Emeritus Gateway Rehabilitation Center Second Edition
