Commentary on the Torah

by Richard Elliott Friedman

In this groundbreaking and insightful new commentary, one of the world's leading biblical scholars unveils the unity and continuity of the Torah for the modern reader. Richard Elliott Friedman, the bestselling author of Who Wrote the Bible?, integrates the most recent discoveries in biblical archaeology and research with the fruits of years of experience studying and teaching the Bible to illuminate the straightforward meaning of the text -- "to shed new light on the Torah and, more important, to open windows through which it sheds its light on us."

While other commentaries are generally collections of comments by a number of scholars, this is a unified commentary on the Torah by a single scholar, the most unified by a Jewish scholar in centuries. It includes the original Hebrew text, a new translation, and an authoritative, accessibly written interpretation and analysis of each passage that remains focused on the meaning of the Torah as a whole, showing how its separate books are united into one cohesive, all-encompassing sacred literary masterpiece. This landmark work is destined to take its place as a classic in the libraries of lay readers and scholars alike, as we seek to understand the significance of the scriptural texts for our lives today, and for years to come.

Genres: Judaism, Religion, Jewish, Reference, Judaica, Nonfiction, Spirituality

704 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

RICHARD ELLIOTT FRIEDMAN is one of the premier bible scholars in the country. He earned his doctorate at Harvard and was a visiting fellow at Oxford and Cambridge, a Senior Fellow of the American Schools of Oriental Research in Jerusalem, and a Visiting Professor at the University of Haifa. He is the Ann & Jay Davis Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of Georgia and the Katzin Professor of Jewish Civilization Emeritus of the University of California, San Diego.

He is the author of Commentary on the Torah, The Disappearance of God, The Hidden Book in the Bible, The Bible with Sources Revealed, The Bible Now, The Exile and Biblical Narrative, the bestselling Who Wrote the Bible?, and his newest book, The Exodus.

He was an American Council of Learned Societies Fellow and was elected to membership in The Biblical Colloquium. His books have been translated into Hebrew, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Polish, Hungarian, Dutch, Portuguese, Czech, Turkish, Korean, and French.

He was a consultant for the Dreamworks film "The Prince of Egypt," for Alice Hoffman's The Dovekeepers, and for NBC, A&E, PBS, and Nova.

Reviews

[Daniel R. Pinto]

Beautifully translated, beautifully annotated

I can think of no better work for anyone (not only Jews) to understand why the first five books of the Bible have long been revered as a source of wisdom and a code of ethics. Richard Eliot Friedman's commentary is wise and illuminating, but never intrusive. It is particularly helpful in clarifying some of the most difficult passages, e.g. on animal sacrifices, or on the ten plagues, or on Divine wrath. For this, he draws on the Jewish exegetical tradition, but also on literature, anthropology, psychology, and on plain old common sense.

[Matt Friedman]

When I saw a blurb or two on this comparing this work to that of Kimhi or Rashi, it seemed to me to really be hyperbole. Having read through this, I'm not so sure such comparisons are completely off the mark! This is really a masterwork, both scholarly and devotional, and I will be recommending it widely.

[Melissa Service]

A good read, but I would like to have seen more in the way of commentary on controversial renderings. The author stayed conservative on many issues--but overall, a good read. I would recommend to anyone wanting to study the Torah.

[CairoErica]

I love this book

[Margie Dorn]

This is now my favorite commentary on Torah. Friedman continues to be my favorite scholar on matters regarding Torah. He is provocative, insightful, creative, intelligent, and faithful. My only complaint is that the commentary is too short, that he could have said even more, but left that to the other books he has written. This is not the only commentary I would rely on, but it is the best.

[Gerald]

Excellent commentary on the five books of Moses

Excellent commentary on Genesis thru Deuteronomy. Friedman does not disappoint. He explains how the Creation ties to Abraham and Moses.

[Sophie]

An absolutely standout commentary that most especially helps you see the literary nature of the Torah. Friedman is quite liberal, so there are certainly some interpretation we’d disagree on, but truly this is an incredible commentary by someone who understands and loves this text.

[Shay]

I borrowed this book from my library on the app. When I went to borrow it again the library no longer had permission for it and it wasn't in the Catalog. What I did read of it I found interesting and informative.

[Andres]

The Best Translation in English

Friedman masterfully translates the first 5 books of the Bible, and provides excellent commentary. The text includes the original Hebrew, which allows the reader to check up on specific words, if and as needed. Very useful for true Bible scholars.

[David Daniel Klipper]

Outstanding Translation and Commentary

I use this as my go-to Torah translation. I learn things I can’t find anywhere else, and I appreciate the clarity and ‘down-home’ nature of his English - telling it like it is. I have both paper and electronic copies.

[Maria]

very insightful, especially seeing the Hebrew text alongside. I might be inspired to learn some. The translation seems very vivid, different from ones I've read before.

[David Peck]

Great Commentary

Friedman brings the Torah to life with his magnificent translation and commentary.
So when can we expect a new translation and commentary of the entire Tanach?

[Natalie]

A very dry translation of the Torah.
I wish it had been more engaging.

[Stephanie]

I love the Torah, and this translation and commentary is fascinating, but I felt Friedman skipped over some of my favorite stories.

[Gabriel Preda]

Nu de foarte multe ori am citit o carte pentru ca am aflat de ea citind alta carte. Cel mai bun exemplu in cazul meu e ca am ajuns la doamna de Sévigné (căreia i-am citit prima oara scrisorile pe la 25 de ani) dupa ce citisem "Du côté de chez Swann" de Proust - in acea carte era amintita. Am ajuns la comentariile la Tora ale lui Friedman dupa ce am citit (de fapt, in timp ce citeam) "Cei disparuti. In căutarea a sase dintre cei sase milioane" de Daniel Mendelsohn. Comentariile la Geneza mi-au deschis ochii la noi sensuri, nebănuite, ale textului biblic. Recomandate oricui vrea sa-si înteleagă mai bine originile culturii din care face parte.

[Brian]

Commentary on the Torah is a translation and explanation of the five books of Moses, by Richard Elliot Friedman. It starts with the creation of the world, then the Jewish people and then one specific family with all the interpretation knotted into one consistent voice. The Exodus out of Egypt was experienced by a nation that had to take 40 years to transition from a slave mentality to a free people. Well written, easy to understand, and relatable to modern times.

[James Madsen]

This is an excellent new translation of the Torah and a commentary by the liberal humanist Biblical scholar Richard Elliott Friedman. It complements the conservative viewpoint in Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentary (q.v.).

[Angela]

I am using this book along with my Torah study. This is an excellent new translation of the Torah and commentary.

[Rachel Ant]

I love his exegesis of the Torah and connecting it to modern way of life.