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Genesis: A Parsha Companion
In this first of five Parsha Companions, Rabbi David Fohrman delves into the biblical text, asking intriguing questions and detecting patterns that, once you see them, seem to leap off the page. He helps the reader really listen to the Torah carefully, lovingly, and attentively. The reader's reward is the chance to perceive the richness in the Torah many of us had never imagined was there, and to be touched deeply by a close encounter with the words of our Maker.
218 pages, Hardcover
Published August 1, 2020
81 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
About the author
David Fohrman
18 books91 followersRabbi David Fohrman lectures internationally on Biblical themes. He heads the Curriculum Initiative of the Areivim Philanthropic Group, and directs the Hoffberger Institute for Text Study. He currently resides in Woodmere, NY with his wife and children, where he also serves as resident scholar at the Young Israel of Woodmere. Rabbi Fohrman's first book, The Beast that Crouches at the Door, was a finalist for the 2007 National Jewish Book Award. In earlier years, Rabbi Fohrman served as a senior editor and writer for ArtScroll's Schottenstein Edition of the Talmud, and taught Biblical themes at the Johns Hopkins University. His recorded lectures are available at rabbifohrman.com.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 24, 2023
WHERE have these characters been all my life because I have NEVER met them 😮💨
December 23, 2020
I almost didn't read this book. I have followed Rabbi Fohrman's material for years and listened to his work on Genesis numerous times in many different forms. A Parsha companion on Genesis? I didn't think I needed it. But luckily I have good friends and one of them said, "I'm not going to let you not own a Fohrman book. Here you go."
And I'm so glad for my friend. This work is incredible.
First of all, it's aesthetically gorgeous. I've come to really appreciate that about hard copy books.
Second, there was some material in it that I had not heard or had not stuck in my consciousness for whatever reason. Sure, the opening few essays were very familiar to me... but the chapters on the life of Jacob were by far the best treatment of the Jacob narrative I have ever read. Not super in-depth, but just packed with goodness.
To piggy back on that observation, I simply love to read Rabbi Fohrman's written teaching. Some teaching that I've heard in lecture or video content is much better when it's written in prose. It simply strikes me differently.
Finally, the whole package was a brilliantly designed stream of consciousness that I didn't realize until the end. Rabbi Fohrman does this to me every time, why am I surprised by it? I always think I see everything about what he is doing, and then, at the end, I realize he was doing so much more than I saw in the moment. This is not just a collection of essays, it's an intentionally designed tapestry that shows the absolute beauty of the Genesis narrative.
And I'm so glad for my friend. This work is incredible.
First of all, it's aesthetically gorgeous. I've come to really appreciate that about hard copy books.
Second, there was some material in it that I had not heard or had not stuck in my consciousness for whatever reason. Sure, the opening few essays were very familiar to me... but the chapters on the life of Jacob were by far the best treatment of the Jacob narrative I have ever read. Not super in-depth, but just packed with goodness.
To piggy back on that observation, I simply love to read Rabbi Fohrman's written teaching. Some teaching that I've heard in lecture or video content is much better when it's written in prose. It simply strikes me differently.
Finally, the whole package was a brilliantly designed stream of consciousness that I didn't realize until the end. Rabbi Fohrman does this to me every time, why am I surprised by it? I always think I see everything about what he is doing, and then, at the end, I realize he was doing so much more than I saw in the moment. This is not just a collection of essays, it's an intentionally designed tapestry that shows the absolute beauty of the Genesis narrative.
January 25, 2025
This was another treat to read that made Genesis come alive. Fohrman drives me back to the text ever to go deeper and ask better questions. Not a lot more you could want from a book like this. Read this book.
June 23, 2023
Wow. I went into this book with a lot of assumptions about what I was going to read, and I was wrong, and that was great! I've been in church my whole life, I have a Bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies, and I'm pursuing a Master's in theology... do I type that to impress you? Absolutely not, because why would you care? I type that because it lets you know that I should be relatively familiar with Genesis and the lessons involved, and I thought so too, but each chapter brought a different perspective I had never considered, and never would have considered in a million years without it's assistance. So, all of that to say, if you're looking for a new challenge in your thoughts about the Bible this will not disappoint. The Bible truly is amazing on so many levels.
December 18, 2025
Best book I’ve ever read on Genesis, and one of the best books I’ve read in general. Almost every essay had some sort of deep impact on my life, my understanding of the Text (and of God, myself, and my neighbor), and my ministry in teaching the Bible and guiding students in the way of Jesus. Some essays caused me to tear up, others let me to frantically write pages of notes and reflections, and still others caused me to set the book down and go embody the things I learned, in my own small way in my family and out on the campus and in the city that I work and serve. RDF is a legend and his writing style makes everything he writes a “page-turner,” where I come to each new page expecting to be surprised and inspired. I cannot recommend this book enough.
September 16, 2020
Rabbi David Fohrman points out obscure and questionable matters in each of the twelve portions in Genesis and offers his view of what the lesson is that underlies the verse or event. The interpretations are usually based on his own ideas or ancient Midrashim and classical Bible commentaries such as Rashi and Nachmanides which he accepts as capturing the true intent of the Torah. Whether a reader agrees with his interpretation or not, the identification of obscure items and his interpretations and discussions about them make us think.
The following are some examples of difficult words and actions that Rabbi Forman highlights and upon which he offers his interpretations.
• Genesis 1:26 uses the plural when God made man, “let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Who is God referring to when God says “our”? Is this simply a majestic plural which kings frequently use? Rabbi Fohrman quotes Nachmanides who suggests that God is referring to the earth from which the Bible states Adam was created. God was speaking to the earth, “You contribute the body and I will contribute the soul. Together, we will create him.” Do you agree with Nachmanides?
• Why does Deuteronomy 24:11 state, “When a man takes a woman and has sex with her”? Does a man acquire a woman as he does a table, a chair, and a book? Is this how the union of Adam and Eve happened; that he just took her? Is this how we should view marriage?
• Why does Genesis 2:18 have God say, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helpmate”? Did the all-knowing God not know about the possibility of Adam being lonely when Adam was created?
• Why in the very next verse, 2:19, God brought all the animals to Adam saying whatever name he gives the animals would be their name? Did God intend that the animal Adam chose would be his helpmate?
• What is the significance of Adam naming the animals?
• In Genesis 2:22, God creates Eve from part of Adam’s body and Adam names her Ishah, woman. Is this naming what God referred to in 2:18? What is the significance of Adam giving her a name?
• What does Adam see in Eve that attracts him to her?
• In Genesis 2:24, the Torah states, “This is why a man leaves his father and mother and cleaves to his wife and they become one flesh.” What does “This is why” refer to? Why does a man leave his parents? How does man and woman become “one”?
• In Genesis 5:29, Noah’s father names him Noah, which means “comfort,” because Noah “will comfort us from our work and from the sadness of our hands, which comes from the ground which the Lord cursed.” Is Noah’s father prophesying? What does he think Noah will do to bring comfort? The commentator Rashi, based on a Midrash, states that Noah invented plowshares to make it easier to work the land. Does this make sense? Is it even hinted in the Torah? Did God curse the ground? Wasn’t it humans that God punished, not cursed? Didn’t the lifetime of Noah not bring comfort but the destruction of the world in a flood? What does Noah’s father think will happen?
• Why was it God who shut the ark in Genesis 7:16 and Noah who opened it in Genesis 8:13 at the end of the flood?
• Soon after emerging from the ark which saved him and his family from the flood, Noah plants a vineyard and gets drunk. Why did he plant a vineyard and why so quickly? And why did he get drunk? And why is the Torah telling us this episode?
• Why didn’t Rebecca talk to Isaac when she saw that he proposed to bless the wrong son, Esau instead of Jacob? Isn’t it possible that a family discussion or at least a talk between the spouses would have avoided Esau’s anger and the need for Jacob to be expelled from home for twenty years?
• In Genesis 25, Jacob’s mother Rebecca urges her son to run to her brother’s country and his home to save himself from Esau’s anger caused by Jacob stealing their father’s blessing meant for him. She assures Jacob that when Esau’s anger subsides, she will inform him that it is safe to return home. But she never sends him a message during the twenty years he is gone. Why? This is especially strange because when Esau meets Jacob when Jacob returns without a message from his mother, Esau is very friendly to him. Didn’t Rebecca see a softening of Esau’s anger during the twenty years of Jacob’s absence?
• There are several instances where biblical people cry. Is there a connection? For example: Esau cried in Genesis 27:38 when he heard that Jacob stole his father’s blessing meant for him. Jacob cried for an inexplicable reason when he first saw Rachel in Genesis 29:11. Both brothers cried on each other’s shoulder when they met in Genesis 33:4.
• Is Rashi’s grandson Rashbam correct when he interprets the events in Genesis 37 where some of Joseph’s brothers planned to sell him as a slave that the brothers never did so? Rashbam points out that when Joseph was in the pit where his brothers placed him, a caravan came, drew him from the pit, kidnaped him, and they were the ones who sold Joseph into Egyptian slavery.
• Joseph’s oldest brother Reuben opposed selling Joseph according to Genesis 37:27 but was gone when Joseph was taken. When he returned and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes in Genesis 37:29-30 in mourning. Where was he? Why didn’t he stay to protect Joseph?
In short, Rabbi Fohrman’s book makes us sensitive to the Torah’s words and those who read his book will see his answers to the apparent difficulties he notes – some mentioned above - and be prompted to decide whether they agree with his interesting views or not.
The following are some examples of difficult words and actions that Rabbi Forman highlights and upon which he offers his interpretations.
• Genesis 1:26 uses the plural when God made man, “let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Who is God referring to when God says “our”? Is this simply a majestic plural which kings frequently use? Rabbi Fohrman quotes Nachmanides who suggests that God is referring to the earth from which the Bible states Adam was created. God was speaking to the earth, “You contribute the body and I will contribute the soul. Together, we will create him.” Do you agree with Nachmanides?
• Why does Deuteronomy 24:11 state, “When a man takes a woman and has sex with her”? Does a man acquire a woman as he does a table, a chair, and a book? Is this how the union of Adam and Eve happened; that he just took her? Is this how we should view marriage?
• Why does Genesis 2:18 have God say, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helpmate”? Did the all-knowing God not know about the possibility of Adam being lonely when Adam was created?
• Why in the very next verse, 2:19, God brought all the animals to Adam saying whatever name he gives the animals would be their name? Did God intend that the animal Adam chose would be his helpmate?
• What is the significance of Adam naming the animals?
• In Genesis 2:22, God creates Eve from part of Adam’s body and Adam names her Ishah, woman. Is this naming what God referred to in 2:18? What is the significance of Adam giving her a name?
• What does Adam see in Eve that attracts him to her?
• In Genesis 2:24, the Torah states, “This is why a man leaves his father and mother and cleaves to his wife and they become one flesh.” What does “This is why” refer to? Why does a man leave his parents? How does man and woman become “one”?
• In Genesis 5:29, Noah’s father names him Noah, which means “comfort,” because Noah “will comfort us from our work and from the sadness of our hands, which comes from the ground which the Lord cursed.” Is Noah’s father prophesying? What does he think Noah will do to bring comfort? The commentator Rashi, based on a Midrash, states that Noah invented plowshares to make it easier to work the land. Does this make sense? Is it even hinted in the Torah? Did God curse the ground? Wasn’t it humans that God punished, not cursed? Didn’t the lifetime of Noah not bring comfort but the destruction of the world in a flood? What does Noah’s father think will happen?
• Why was it God who shut the ark in Genesis 7:16 and Noah who opened it in Genesis 8:13 at the end of the flood?
• Soon after emerging from the ark which saved him and his family from the flood, Noah plants a vineyard and gets drunk. Why did he plant a vineyard and why so quickly? And why did he get drunk? And why is the Torah telling us this episode?
• Why didn’t Rebecca talk to Isaac when she saw that he proposed to bless the wrong son, Esau instead of Jacob? Isn’t it possible that a family discussion or at least a talk between the spouses would have avoided Esau’s anger and the need for Jacob to be expelled from home for twenty years?
• In Genesis 25, Jacob’s mother Rebecca urges her son to run to her brother’s country and his home to save himself from Esau’s anger caused by Jacob stealing their father’s blessing meant for him. She assures Jacob that when Esau’s anger subsides, she will inform him that it is safe to return home. But she never sends him a message during the twenty years he is gone. Why? This is especially strange because when Esau meets Jacob when Jacob returns without a message from his mother, Esau is very friendly to him. Didn’t Rebecca see a softening of Esau’s anger during the twenty years of Jacob’s absence?
• There are several instances where biblical people cry. Is there a connection? For example: Esau cried in Genesis 27:38 when he heard that Jacob stole his father’s blessing meant for him. Jacob cried for an inexplicable reason when he first saw Rachel in Genesis 29:11. Both brothers cried on each other’s shoulder when they met in Genesis 33:4.
• Is Rashi’s grandson Rashbam correct when he interprets the events in Genesis 37 where some of Joseph’s brothers planned to sell him as a slave that the brothers never did so? Rashbam points out that when Joseph was in the pit where his brothers placed him, a caravan came, drew him from the pit, kidnaped him, and they were the ones who sold Joseph into Egyptian slavery.
• Joseph’s oldest brother Reuben opposed selling Joseph according to Genesis 37:27 but was gone when Joseph was taken. When he returned and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes in Genesis 37:29-30 in mourning. Where was he? Why didn’t he stay to protect Joseph?
In short, Rabbi Fohrman’s book makes us sensitive to the Torah’s words and those who read his book will see his answers to the apparent difficulties he notes – some mentioned above - and be prompted to decide whether they agree with his interesting views or not.
December 25, 2020
There are two weeks left in the reading of the book of Bereishit, but I just couldn't stop myself from finishing this book (plus I only have one more week to finish my GoodReads target reading goal ;)). With that in mind, I must say that Rabbi Fohrman has always been my favorite Jewish author, so finishing early wasn't really that much of a surprise. I love all of his books so much. He does what every Jewish book should do, which is make you say, "What?!?!?!" and then run to pull out the original text. He finds the deeper meanings, the connections, and drops the reader in the moment of time that the event is happening to allow us to open our eyes and see what they saw, feel what they felt, and experience what they experienced. He does this in each of his books, and continues that in this first of five books on the parshiot (Torah portions). I have already ordered the next one!
That being said, I think it is always good to give constructive feedback as well.
1. The first two parshiot were, so-so, so please push through because the going gets good fast after that.
2. I love that they are longer essays that really let you sink your teeth in and go in depth, but they are so good, that I wish the book was twice as long. This easily could have been a 400 page book. There are so many big themes, especially in the book of Genesis that I wish he picked on two topics each week (and we all know he already has that information as his Aleph Beta website has expressed many different ideas on each parsha (Torah Portion) over the years.
3. Back to the Aleph Beta thought, since he has so much depth in one area in the actual writing, it might be nice for the reader if Rabbi Fohrman used the one blank page at the beginning of each week's portion and filled it with a screenshot summary of the parsha with little captions under each square, just giving an overview of the whole thing. I think this would add tremendous depth, with images he has already created.
I highly recommend this book and all of his others to any reader. He speaks at a high level while also making it feel like he is having a conversation with the reader at a very approachable level. It is a tough skill to master, but one that he absolutely has attained!
That being said, I think it is always good to give constructive feedback as well.
1. The first two parshiot were, so-so, so please push through because the going gets good fast after that.
2. I love that they are longer essays that really let you sink your teeth in and go in depth, but they are so good, that I wish the book was twice as long. This easily could have been a 400 page book. There are so many big themes, especially in the book of Genesis that I wish he picked on two topics each week (and we all know he already has that information as his Aleph Beta website has expressed many different ideas on each parsha (Torah Portion) over the years.
3. Back to the Aleph Beta thought, since he has so much depth in one area in the actual writing, it might be nice for the reader if Rabbi Fohrman used the one blank page at the beginning of each week's portion and filled it with a screenshot summary of the parsha with little captions under each square, just giving an overview of the whole thing. I think this would add tremendous depth, with images he has already created.
I highly recommend this book and all of his others to any reader. He speaks at a high level while also making it feel like he is having a conversation with the reader at a very approachable level. It is a tough skill to master, but one that he absolutely has attained!
October 15, 2020
Many magazines will periodically have articles titled "The 10 Best You've Never Heard Of', with that subject being what the magazine is about. If I were to write an article 'The 10 Best Rabbis You've Never Heard Of', Rabbi David Fohrman would be at the top of that list.
As a brilliant speaker and author, Fohrman has somehow evaded overall more significant public popularity. That may change with his just-released Genesis: A Parsha Companion (Maggid Books).
In comparison, other books focus on the what and how of the story, Fohrman focuses on the why of the story. Here, he writes what that means to him. But by understanding and using his approach, the reader can use it to gain more meaning from the stories and events in the book of Bereshis.
With expertise in the text, Fohrman does an excellent job of extracting tremendous insights from a single word, and with his nuanced understandings, extract significant meaning. For example, he analyzes the word in Genesis 3:17 b'itzavon, meaning sadness, in the context of the land being cursed after Adam's sin. He asks what is so sad about working the land? If may be difficult to work incessantly, but why is it necessarily sad?
When it comes to the story of Yosef's sale, Fohrman invites the reader to go along with him on a forensic reading of the story. He notes the Yosef story is full of knotty, inconvenient details that confuse the reader in many subtle and not so subtle ways. Fohrman then helps the reader unravel those knots to discover more profound meanings in these narratives.
Genesis: A Parsha Companion is a very different, yet very engaging and original approach to the Book of Bereshis than what you have likely read in the past. And with this first book in the 5-book series, Fohrman will hopefully be one of the 10 Best Rabbis You Recently Heard Of.
As a brilliant speaker and author, Fohrman has somehow evaded overall more significant public popularity. That may change with his just-released Genesis: A Parsha Companion (Maggid Books).
In comparison, other books focus on the what and how of the story, Fohrman focuses on the why of the story. Here, he writes what that means to him. But by understanding and using his approach, the reader can use it to gain more meaning from the stories and events in the book of Bereshis.
With expertise in the text, Fohrman does an excellent job of extracting tremendous insights from a single word, and with his nuanced understandings, extract significant meaning. For example, he analyzes the word in Genesis 3:17 b'itzavon, meaning sadness, in the context of the land being cursed after Adam's sin. He asks what is so sad about working the land? If may be difficult to work incessantly, but why is it necessarily sad?
When it comes to the story of Yosef's sale, Fohrman invites the reader to go along with him on a forensic reading of the story. He notes the Yosef story is full of knotty, inconvenient details that confuse the reader in many subtle and not so subtle ways. Fohrman then helps the reader unravel those knots to discover more profound meanings in these narratives.
Genesis: A Parsha Companion is a very different, yet very engaging and original approach to the Book of Bereshis than what you have likely read in the past. And with this first book in the 5-book series, Fohrman will hopefully be one of the 10 Best Rabbis You Recently Heard Of.
November 22, 2020
What makes studying the Bible so endlessly fascinating is that there’s always something new to learn – an interpretation that takes you by surprise or a close study that offers new insights. When authors approach the text from different angles, they illuminate aspects of the verses that might have previously been overlooked. This is true of two recent works: “Genesis: A Parasha Companion” by Rabbi David Fohrman (Maggid Books) offers insights into the first book of the Bible, while Israel Drazin focuses closely on one biblical character in “Who Really Was the Biblical Elijah?” (Geffen Publishing House).
See the rest of my review at https://www.thereportergroup.org/past...
See the rest of my review at https://www.thereportergroup.org/past...
March 27, 2024
The Rabbi David Fohrman is teaching me how to read the Bible in the moment, taking note of the words and actions, and trying to interpret the text as it unfolds. Not in light of the fact that I know, by heart, each story's ending. In doing so, Im discovering, to my deep shock and delight, the multitudes packaged in these words that have been flatted by years of the same retellings.
Im not sad I know these stories wrote, but I wonder if there may be a fifth type of soil in Jesus' parable of the sower. Maybe, in modern America where I've had a Bible by my bed since the age of 2, some seeds fall and take root but are pressed down over time under the wheels of carts on the road. They don't die, but are ground so deep into the dirt that, while still retaining roots, they do not get enough air to flower.
The Rabbi David Fohrman is helping dig me out.
Im not sad I know these stories wrote, but I wonder if there may be a fifth type of soil in Jesus' parable of the sower. Maybe, in modern America where I've had a Bible by my bed since the age of 2, some seeds fall and take root but are pressed down over time under the wheels of carts on the road. They don't die, but are ground so deep into the dirt that, while still retaining roots, they do not get enough air to flower.
The Rabbi David Fohrman is helping dig me out.
July 19, 2021
This book is phenomenal! Rabbi Fohrman wonderfully unpacks often unappreciated stories from the book of Genesis in a way which leaves you in awe of the biblical text. His love for the text shines through his writing and the way he integrates midrashim and the thoughts of ancient sages into his ideas brings a clarity to the stories of Genesis and a fresh intrigue. Not only is this book visually stunning, it is written in such an easy-to-read way and Fohrman condenses complicated debates, theories, and ideas into an easily digestible yet intellectually stimulating 'companion'. I thoroughly recommend this book as a tool to see the intricate nature of the text and as a beautiful companion commentary to Genesis.
February 21, 2021
Rabbi David Fohrman opens his book with a sentiment on how weird it is for him to fall in love with the Torah... and that there is something special about the text. I am completely encouraged and enamored by the way he approaches Genesis (and he wrote his thoughts for us like he is just having conversation with us over breakfast on a good typical morning!). The Bible I knew before is different from the Bible that I know now: journey with Fohrman in his rich interpretation as he shows you his knowledge on Hebrew language and his experience in seeing the cohesiveness of Genesis.
February 28, 2022
Rabbi David Fohrman invites you to look at the Word of God with new eyes, challenging his readers to leave preconceived notions at the door. Rabbi Fohrman animates the stories of Genesis in an exciting way, writing in a conversational style that feels like you are getting coffee with a wise old friend. He also provides new and unique applications from stories in Genesis, which are a breath of fresh air. Rabbi Fohrman does not force you to a agree with him or his interpretation but invites you to take a look at the Word of God for yourself.
October 4, 2021
Rabbi Fohrman offers an inductive and insightful perspective on the book of Genesis. More than that, he reads the book with such focus the detail he extracts and the connections he makes leaves me with a sense of awe over the intricate patterns and messages God has throughout His Word. More so, as a Gentile Believer I'm left even more astounded over the implications Rabbi's words have on my belief in Jesus Christ and the Jewish significance of who He is and His work. Please read this book!
June 19, 2023
Very in-depth look at some of the stories of the Midrash and a really good deep look at some biblical stories that we have become spiritually numb to. The only reason this is not rated higher is because some of the chapters, while they pointed out interesting things, did not seem to be as applicable (more theoretical). Still a great read and incredible at making you relook at some of those classic bible stories with fresh eyes and insight.
December 25, 2024
I don’t use the word “mind-blowing” often, so when I trot it out, I mean it.
Rabbi Fohrman introduced me to the chiasm, and I’m not the same person anymore. I need more. I need to find my own. I can’t be satiated.
Oh, and the rest of the book was marvelous, but this chiasm business, man, it’s thrown me for a loop.
Rabbi Fohrman introduced me to the chiasm, and I’m not the same person anymore. I need more. I need to find my own. I can’t be satiated.
Oh, and the rest of the book was marvelous, but this chiasm business, man, it’s thrown me for a loop.
December 30, 2023
Excellent Commentary
I loved the way Rabbi Fohrman explains his ideas on each Parsha. It is clear and easy toreador and follow. I am looking forward to his completion on his commentaries for the rest of the Torah!
I loved the way Rabbi Fohrman explains his ideas on each Parsha. It is clear and easy toreador and follow. I am looking forward to his completion on his commentaries for the rest of the Torah!
December 31, 2020
Superb book.
July 13, 2021
Amazing insight into Genesis
August 24, 2025
I wouldn’t recommend this book as anyone’s introduction to Rabbi David Fohrman. That being said, I continue to appreciate his perspective and find his books entertaining and valuable.
January 30, 2026
The best biblical commentary I’ve ever read. Top 10 on my book list for sure.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews