Engaging Torah

In this volume of essays, eminent Jewish scholars from around the world present introductions to the different parts of the Bible for the wider public. The essays encompass a general introduction to the Torah in Jewish life, and include specific essays on each of the Five Books of Moses, as well as on the Haftarot, Neviim, and Ketuvim. The contributions provide an overview of the core content of each book as well as highlight central themes and the reception and relevance of these themes in Jewish life and culture past and present. These essays, informed by and based on the profound academic research of their authors, together provide an invaluable bridge between high-level academic insight and the study of the Bible both in synagogues and in homes.



edited by Walter Homolka and Aaron Panken



Acknowledgments Preface Aaron Panken Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion An Introduction to Engaging Torah Walter Homolka Abraham Geiger College at the University of Potsdam The Torah in Jewish Life from the Nineteenth Century until Today Tamara Cohn Eskenazi Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion Introduction to Genesis Ziony Zevit Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies of American Jewish University Introduction to Exodus David H. Aaron Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion Introduction to Leviticus Alan Cooper Jewish Theological Seminary Introduction to Numbers Jacob L. Wright Emory University Introduction to Deuteronomy Bernard M. Levinson University of Minnesota Introduction to the Haftarot Lawrence A. Hoffman Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion Introduction to Nevi'im Marc Zvi Brettler Duke University Introduction to Ketuvim Deborah Kahn-Harris Leo Baeck College