The biblical commentaries known as Miqra’ot Gedolot have inspired and educated generations of Hebrew readers. With this edition—the fifth and final volume of the acclaimed English edition of Miqra’ot Gedolot—those of Rashi, Ibn Ezra, Nachmanides, Rashbam, Abarbanel, Kimhi, and other medieval Bible commentators come alive once more, speaking in a contemporary English translation annotated and explicated for lay readers.
Each page in The Commentators’ Bible: Genesis, The Rubin JPS Miqra’ot Gedolot contains several verses from the Book of Genesis, surrounded by both the 1917 and 1985 JPS translations, and by new contemporary English translations of the major commentators. The book also includes an introduction, a glossary of terms, a list of names used in the text, notes on source texts, a special topics list, and resources for further study. This large-format volume is beautifully designed for easy navigation among the many elements on each page including explanatory notes and selected additional comments from the works of Bekhor Shor, Sforno, Gersonides, and Hizkuni, among others.
Praise
Anyone who is unfamiliar with medieval commentary, or who is unable to study the commentators in the original Hebrew, will find ‘The Commentators’ Bible’ a worthy addition to their book shelves. Carasik has done a real service making this material available.– The Reporter
The importance of this [series] cannot be overestimated — for the first time, we have a responsible translation of the miqra’ot gedolot…that is accessible to those without great facility in Hebrew.– Jbooks.com
The JPS Commentators’ Bible is one of the most useful resources I now have in my library. It opens the door to the wisdom of the classic commentators to Jewish students of all levels of Hebrew fluency. The translations are fluid and accessible, and this important work represents an invaluable invitation to join the centuries-long conversation of Torah commentary and interpretation. I eagerly await the completion of the remaining volumes of The Rubin JPS Miqra’ot Gedolot.—Rabbi Dan Levin, Temple Beth El, Boca Raton, Florida
Michael Carasik, PhD, is the author/translator of The Commentators’ Bible: The Rubin JPS Miqra’ot Gedolot. He teaches Biblical Hebrew at the University of Pennsylvania and is the weekday Torah reader at Historic Congregation Kesher Israel in Center City Philadelphia. He received his Ph.D. in Bible and the Ancient Near East from Brandeis University, and has taught at various universities. He is the author of Theologies of the Mind in Biblical Israel and The Bible’s Many Voices and is a regular contributor of articles and reviews in scholarly journals.
The Commentators’ Bible: Genesis The Rubin JPS Miqra'ot Gedolot
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Michael Carasik, PhD (editor)
Read More and BuyAbout the Book
The biblical commentaries known as Miqra’ot Gedolot have inspired and educated generations of Hebrew readers. With this edition—the fifth and final volume of the acclaimed English edition of Miqra’ot Gedolot—those of Rashi, Ibn Ezra, Nachmanides, Rashbam, Abarbanel, Kimhi, and other medieval Bible commentators come alive once more, speaking in a contemporary English translation annotated and explicated for lay readers.
Each page in The Commentators’ Bible: Genesis, The Rubin JPS Miqra’ot Gedolot contains several verses from the Book of Genesis, surrounded by both the 1917 and 1985 JPS translations, and by new contemporary English translations of the major commentators. The book also includes an introduction, a glossary of terms, a list of names used in the text, notes on source texts, a special topics list, and resources for further study. This large-format volume is beautifully designed for easy navigation among the many elements on each page including explanatory notes and selected additional comments from the works of Bekhor Shor, Sforno, Gersonides, and Hizkuni, among others.
Praise
Anyone who is unfamiliar with medieval commentary, or who is unable to study the commentators in the original Hebrew, will find ‘The Commentators’ Bible’ a worthy addition to their book shelves. Carasik has done a real service making this material available.– The Reporter
The importance of this [series] cannot be overestimated — for the first time, we have a responsible translation of the miqra’ot gedolot…that is accessible to those without great facility in Hebrew.– Jbooks.com
The JPS Commentators’ Bible is one of the most useful resources I now have in my library. It opens the door to the wisdom of the classic commentators to Jewish students of all levels of Hebrew fluency. The translations are fluid and accessible, and this important work represents an invaluable invitation to join the centuries-long conversation of Torah commentary and interpretation. I eagerly await the completion of the remaining volumes of The Rubin JPS Miqra’ot Gedolot.—Rabbi Dan Levin, Temple Beth El, Boca Raton, Florida
Michael Carasik, PhD
Visit Michael Carasik, PhD's website
Michael Carasik, PhD, is the author/translator of The Commentators’ Bible: The Rubin JPS Miqra’ot Gedolot. He teaches Biblical Hebrew at the University of Pennsylvania and is the weekday Torah reader at Historic Congregation Kesher Israel in Center City Philadelphia. He received his Ph.D. in Bible and the Ancient Near East from Brandeis University, and has taught at various universities. He is the author of Theologies of the Mind in Biblical Israel and The Bible’s Many Voices and is a regular contributor of articles and reviews in scholarly journals.
His weekly ”Torah Talk” podcast is available at http://mcarasik.wordpress.com or through the iTunes Store.
Resources
Press Release 2018