I don't ordinarily comment on what another reader says, but...

books:


	• The Bedside Torah : Wisdom, Visions, and Dreams Bradley Shavit Artson, Miriyam Glazer McGraw-Hill, 2001 - 256 pages average customer review:based on 7 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Looking at the Torah in Modern Times

Artson, Bradley. "The Bedside Torah", McGraw Hill. 2000.

Looking at the Torah in Modern Times

Amos Lassen

"The Bedtime Torah" is a wonderful introduction to the study of Jewish texts which has a lot to say and does so in an engaging manner. The language is easy to comprehend and the insights are thought provoking. Best of all is that the chapters are just the right length for a quick read before going to bed.
We are taken through the wisdom of the Torah and we see its counsel and the holiness of the writings that form the core of the Jewish religion. Rabbi Artson concentrates on the Jewish personal values of love and family and of helping others and he gives us a personal and loving look at Judaism. The book is basically a series of commentaries--three for each Torah portion and each section of the Torah is given to us in language that is easily understood. This makes it easy for those who have not read the Torah in its original to get a general idea what the holy books say. It is not only interesting but fun to read different interpretations of any Torah passage as modern insights are brought in so that the writings become applicable to out daily lives. The book also induces one to look to the Torah itself and by getting a good night's rest before doing so increases understanding and awareness.

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Insights into contemporary Jewish theology

As a Christian, the Old Testament, including the Torah, is part of my heritage. I purchased this book to glean more interpretive insights into these pivotal five books from someone who did not interpret them through the lens of Christianity, but from a pure Jewish perspective, in order to broaden my horizons. While gleaning much of worth, the book is so Judeaocentric that I felt more like an eavesdropper than an engaged reader. I found it interesting that Christians haven't cornered the market on guilt-mongering, because there is plenty of that here, directed toward the more religiously lax Jews. Until an enterprising rabbi can write an exposition on the Torah for a general (not just Jewish) readership, this book will have to fit the bill.

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A Modern t\Take on the Torah

Rabbi Artsen provides a short synopsis of the weekly Torah Portion. The Rabbi then writes three different encapsulated views about the parasha for the week. The author brings modern insight to the ancient laws of the Jewish people.

The book is written with the plan to bring the Torah into our lives sprinkling a daily taste of the ancient scrolls into our lives. I recommend this book for those who want to try understanding the Torah by getting a quick read daily and perhaps use this to whet our apatite for the full version of the Five Books of Moses.

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Great night time book!

This is very nice bed time reading that makes you want to stay awake and read on to the next entry. I love the different angles for each Torah portion which gives the feeling of a very good Torah discussion. All the insightful commentary in this book brings out the beauty of the Torah. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about Judaism and anyone who wants add more insight to their weekly Torah study.

I don't ordinarily comment on what another reader says, but...

I was stunned by Mr. Hinkle's criticism that this book is "Judeacentric." Well, a Rabbi writing about a book that is central to our religion - what did he expect? If he wants a balanced viewpoint, he should read a comparable book by an academic scholar of religion. I would never dream of criticizing a Christian scholar for writing from a Christian standpoint, a Buddhist writing from a Buddhist standpoint, etc. Allow we Jews the same courtesy, Mr. Hinkle.

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reviews: page 1, 2

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

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