The Bedside Torah : Wisdom, Visions, and Dreams

by Bradley Shavit Artson

The Bedside Torah guides you into the wisdom, counsel, and holiness of the sacred text that is the center of Jewish spirituality. Rabbi Bradley Artson, one of the truly inspirational and knowledgeable teachers of Torah of our time, weaves together the insights of ancient rabbis and sages, medieval commentators and philosophers, and modern scholars and religious leaders. The reflections in this collection offer three different commentaries on each of the 50 Torah portions, enlightening you into the Torah's infinite layers of meaning and offering opportunities to discover interpretations of your own. " The Bedside Torah is an introduction to Jewish text study that is both learned and engaging . . . The language is conversational, the insights provocative, and the chapters are just the right length for reading before an inspired night's sleep."
--Anita Diamant, author of The New Jewish Wedding , Choosing a Jewish Life , How to Be a Jewish Parent , The Red Tent , and Good Harbor "Bradley Artson is one of the most insightful and articulate rabbis of his generation, as this volume clearly attests."
--Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People "In The Bedside Torah , Rabbi Artson combines wisdom garnered from traditional Jewish sources and commentaries with anecdotes and insights drawn from his own life as well as the lives of all those he has served. In so doing, he has turned each weekly Torah portion into a series of revelations for the reader. The Bedside Torah is a treasure that will surely enrich the religious life of Jews as well as all those who seek comfort and guidance from Jewish scriptures."
--Rabbi David Ellenson, Ph.D., president, Hebrew Union College--Jewish Institute of Religion

Genres: Judaism, Jewish, Religion, Judaica, Nonfiction, Essays

384 pages, Paperback

First published July 31, 2001

Reviews

[Katy Koivastik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rabbi Artson provides us three "takes" on the chapters of the Torah, each take infinitely wise and human. The writing is conversational and the format is perfect for reading in small, easily savoured bites. "The Bedside Torah" is a balm for the mind, soul and spirit.

[Ruth Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One goal and a bucket list item was to read the Torah all the way through. I completed it today even though the next lesson is in a week. I am beyond thrilled and will read again adding the haftorah reading.

[Mary Rude · Rating 3 out of 5]

My sister bought this for me to read together with my mom. Unfortunately, the advice in it felt geared towards younger folks in their 20s, and wasn't really appropriate to my mother and I, but I didn't enjoy the summaries of each portion of the Torah.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

My study group read Torah po rtions each week for 5780. Used this for commentary. CLearly written. Brings to together the meaning of the portion with present meaning

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

re reading this. it sits on our nightstand and we do read it almost every night.

[Ari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible. Weekly Torah parshas broken down into three separate teachings each, easy to read but not simple by any means. I got so much out of these teachings that I couldn't NOT acquire this book for my own collection. Highly recommended, and I will be re-reading it, likely multiple times.

[Haven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bradley Shavit Artson has created bite sized pieces of Torah to enjoy at Bedtime. Each entry in this book matches up to the parsha and gives a deeper message and connection to the Torah portions. Artson helps to make the Torah relevant to what's going on in today's wold. His book is inspirational and has become my go-to book to read to my children when they're going sleep.

[Robin Drury · Rating 4 out of 5]

the summary of stories, and then the commentary the author gives afterwards, makes me feel connected to my religious roots without feeling like i have to separate that part of myself from the spiritual process i live in. really lovely to read before sleep.

[Bookwyrm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slightly boring, not what I thought it would be.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy to read commentary on each Torah portion.