• Abravanel’s World of Torah

    Abravanel’s World of Torah

    is an enticingly innovative yet thoroughly loyal rendition of a major fifteenth-century Hebrew classic.
    For the first time, Don Yitzchak Abravanel’s Bible commentary has become accessible IN ENGLISH.
      
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Abravanel’s World of Torah: Series

Abravanel’s World of Torah

For the first time, here is a systematic translation of Don Yitzchak Abravanel's commentary on the Torah into English.

spines abravanel book

Abravanel’s World of Torah, upon completion, will comprise a multi-volume set of Don Yitzchak Abravanel’s commentary to the Five Books of Moses. This series is not a linear translation but rather a methodical, structured interpretation of Abravanel’s commentary. It is designed to be read and studied independently or can be used as an excellent guide and helpful companion to the Hebrew original.

Abravanel’s World of Torah: Bereshit readers will be introduced to one of the greatest Biblical exegetes ever. Don Isaac Abravanel (1437–1508) sheds light on timeless topics and engaging issues fundamental to gaining a good grasp on religion and faith, beginning with the Creation and Paradise (Gan Eden) before tracing the development of the patriarchs and Jewish people.

Abravanel’s World of Torah: Shemot, Volume I: Sinai Rules readers will be introduced to
one of the greatest Biblical exegetes ever. Here, Don Isaac Abravanel (1437–1508) sheds light on timeless topics and engaging issues fundamental to gaining a good grasp on religion and faith, beginning with the complete story of the Hebrews' enslavement in Egypt, tracing Moses's leadership and prophecy through the Exodus, culminating in an emerging nation of prophets receiving the Torah on Sinai.

Abravanel's World of Torah: Shemot, Volume II: Assembled at Sinai readers will be introduced to one of the greatest Biblical exegetes ever. Here, Don Isaac Abravanel (1437–1508) sheds light on timeless topics and engaging issues fundamental to gaining a good grasp on religion and faith, including a thorough treatment of the Tabernacle (Mishkan) and an in-depth study of
God's Thirteen Attributes.

Abravanel's World of Torah: Vayikra, Volume I: The Meat of the Matter readers will be
introduced to one of the greatest Biblical exegetes ever. Here, Abravanel (1437–1508) sheds light on timeless topics and engaging issues fundamental to gaining a good grasp on religion and faith, featuring a lengthy essay on one of the least understood and appreciated Torah topics: sacrifices.

Abravanel’s World of Torah: Vayikra, Volume II: A Certain Calling readers will find an array of fascinating topics. Briefly, they include an in-depth discussion of the Yom Kippur service, besides an important expose on all Jewish festivals. Further, there are heady essays on Sabbatical and Jubilee regulations, laws of sexual impropriety, plus the laws on giving charity. Next, the book delves into Jewish life in the wilderness, where no shortage of desert drama plays out. Finally, there is a thoughtful essay to help Bible students better understand the classic yet muddling topic of earthly versus divine reward and punishment.

Abravanel’s World of Torah: Bamidbar, Volume I: Desert Glory, Desert Disgrace readers will get an up-close glimpse of the Hebrew nation – in all its splendor and ignominy. Indeed, in the five Torah portions that comprise this volume, we will find the desert-trudging Jews intent on embracing their divine destiny, yet intermittently quick to folly and scofflaw. In spite of the sizeable setbacks recorded in the spy affair or the Korach rebellion, the Chosen People’s trajectory cannot be mistaken – they are marching toward the Promised Land.

PRAISE FOR THE WORK

An outstanding translation of the fascinating commentary by the last of the Spanish greats.
Rabbi Berel Wein
A major contribution to Torah literature.
Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, MD
An interpretive reading in crisp, contemporary English.... [An] important contribution.
Yitzchok Adlerstein
Rabbi; cofounder, Cross Currents
Rabbi Zev Bar Eitan has embarked on a very ambitious project to make Abarbanel accessible to all Jews regardless of background. Baruch Hashem, he has succeeded admirably.
Rav Yitzchak Breitowitz
Rav, Kehillat Ohr Somayach
In clear, straightforward language…Bar Eitan opens the Abravanel’s world of complex ideas to the layman in a way that it has not been opened before. Highly recommended.
Rabbi Shmuel Goldin
Past President, Rabbinical Council of America; author, Unlocking the Torah Text and Unlocking the Haggada
Rabbi Zev Bar-Eitan…has achieved a rendition of the Abravanel which will enable all English readers to comprehend the depths and innovativeness of the original Hebrew text.
Rabbi Dr. Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff
Professor of Rabbinic Literature, Caroline and Joseph S. Gruss Institute, Yeshiva University
In an accessible and flowing language accompanied by a variety of visual aids, Abravanel is presented to the English reader in all his glory. [An] illuminative commentary.
Rachelle Fraenkel
Torah educator, Midrashot Nishmat and Matan
A masterful rendition…lucid, free-flowing and interesting.
Rabbi Zev Leff
Rabbi, Moshav Matityahu; Rosh Hayeshiva, Yeshiva Gedola Matityahu
I am perusing Vayikra, Vol. I: The Meat of the Matter, which looks very good and interesting.
Rabbi Emanuel Feldman
Rabbi Emeritus, Congregation Beth Jacob, Atlanta
Riveting and flowing elucidation of the text simplifies complex ideas leaving the reader readily able to grasp the Abravanel’s inner meaning and purposeful explanation.
Rabbi Meyer H. May
Executive Director, Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museums of Tolerance
Open[s] our eyes and minds to the fascinating world of the Abravanel and his unique way of analyzing the Torah...in a user-friendly commentary.
Rabbi Steven Weil
Senior Managing Director, OU
Zev eminently succeeds in making the awesome wisdom of Don Isaac available to the English-speaking public. We are in Bar Eitan’s debt.
Rabbi Sholom Gold
Founding Rabbi, Kehillat Zichron Yosef, Har Nof
The translation is as beautiful as the original Hebrew and the English reader loses nothing in this excellent rendition.
Rabbi Allen Schwartz
Congregation Ohab Zedek, Yeshiva University
Abravanel needs a redeemer…Bar Eitan takes on this complex task.
Rabbi Gil Student
Student Action
At once a work of scholarship and a treat for the imagination.… Bar Eitan’s Abravanel presents Exodus as great literature, as exciting and gripping as any great Russian novel.
Rabbi Daniel Landes
Rosh Hayeshivah, Machon Pardes
Zev Bar Eitan has an intimate understanding of two characters: Abravanel and the modern reader. He traverses great distance to bring these two together masterfully.
Avraham Steinberg
Rabbi, Young Israel of the Main Line; Rosh Mesivta, Mesivta High School of Greater Philadelphia
An uncommon treat.… Rabbi Bar Eitan is to be commended for providing an accessible entree to this timeless masterpiece.
Rabbi N. Daniel Korobkin
Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto Congregation
Relevant and accessible.… Ideal for teachers as well as Yeshiva High School, Ulpana, Yeshiva and Seminary students alike...a wonderful translation... enjoyable reading....
Rachel Weinstein
Tanach Department, Ramaz Upper School, NY
The clear, easy-to-read language and appended notes and illustrations bring the Abravanel to life, for scholars and laymen alike. A great addition to per¬sonal and shul libraries.
Rabbi Yehoshua Weber
Rabbi, Clanton Park Synagogue, Toronto
Of great value to those who have hesitated to tackle this dense, complex work.… Render[s] the Abravanel’s commentary accessible to the modern reader.
Simi Peters
author, Learning to Read Midrash
A gift to the English-speaking audience.… An important “must have” addition to the English Torah library.
Chana Tannenbaum
EdD, lecturer, Bar-Ilan University
The thoughts of a Torah giant over 500 years ago in terminology understand¬able to the modern reader.
Deena Zimmerman
MD, MPH, IBCLC,author; lecturer
Allows the reader the opportunity to see firsthand the brilliance, creativity, and genius of this 15th-century Spanish biblical commentator.
Rabbi Elazar Muskin
Young Israel of Century City, Los Angeles
An excellent job bringing to life the profound ideas of one of the most original thinkers in Judaism and making them relevant and interesting 500 years later.
Rabbi Dr. Alan Kimche
Ner Yisrael Community, London
I really enjoyed the volume on Bereishis. It opened my eyes to the profundity of the Abravanel's commentary and for that I am ever grateful to you. I recommend it to all my students here at the University of Arizona who are searching for an in-depth understanding of the Chumash. Thank you very much for all your efforts. I am excited to read the next volumes on Shemos and Vayikra!
Rabbi Moshe Schonbrun
Senior educator, JAC University of Arizona
I’ve really enjoyed reading Abravanel's World of Torah. Abravanel was a great and original thinker whose perspective has broadened my understanding of Torah. Rabbi Bar Eitan presents Abravanel’s thought clearly and lucidly. I highly recommend his work. I’ve also really benefitted from being able to email Rabbi Bar Eitan regarding points where I needed further clarity.
Alistair Halpern
London
I want to tell you how much I'm absolutely enjoying Abravanel's World: Bereshit. I'm not much of a Torah scholar, but this is wonderful and terrific due to the seamless integration of Abravanel's thought and Bar Eitan's explication. All the kudos in the world. I'm looking forward to you completing the set.
Michael
New Jersey