Tanakh, an Owner's Manual

Overview

Tanakh, an Owner's Manual offers both a modern and Orthodox approach to the historical and literary frameworks within which the Hebrew Bible should be learned and appreciated. It covers the authorship of its 24 constituent books, their designation as sacred literature (canonization), the development of the Masoretic text, a survey of classic medieval and modern commentaries, the interaction of traditional exegesis and modern biblical scholarship, and a gradual curriculum for developing biblical literacy and comprehension. It reflects the author's insights as they developed over 40 years of studying and teaching, and will be of interest to teachers, students, and anyone who wants a deeper understanding of the Hebrew Bible.

Reviews

"Moshe Sokolow is a master educator who has brought his vast knowledge of the traditions of Jewish Bible scholarship, interpretation, and translation into play in this important book. Covering a vast range of critical material from ancient biblical times to the present, it is written in a clear style, reflecting the considerable pedagogic skill of its author."  —Mordechai Z. Cohen, professor of Bible and associate dean, Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies, Yeshiva University

"Combining quality and clarity, this book could have been written only by a major Bible scholar and a master pedagogue. Dr. Sokolow's engaging work sheds light on how the Tanakh as we know it came to be, how it has been interpreted, and how it may best be taught to contemporary audiences. It is a jewel to be treasured by scholars, teachers, students, and the general reader."  —Rachel Friedman, associate dean and chair of Tanakh studies, Drisha Institute for Jewish Education

"Dr. Sokolow has written a wonderful volume which serves as introduction, guide and vital reference book for anyone wishing to appreciate the wonders of our Book of Books." —Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom, thejewishpress.com

"Sokolow . . . has crafted a masterful and thorough volume of Torah scholarship that raises multiple questions inherent in Tanakh and provides cogent and articulate explanations and responses to them . . . . Serious students of Torah will learn much from this important, comprehensive work." —Publishers Weekly

Author Biography

Moshe Sokolow is the Fanya Gottesfeld-Heller Professor and associate dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education at Yeshiva University. He has also served as professor of bible at Yeshiva College, Stern College, and the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies. He is the author of Studies in the Weekly Parashah based on the Lessons of Nehama Leibowitz, and coeditor of The Azrieli Papers, a series of books on contemporary Jewish educational research. Hayyim Angel is a former Rabbi of Congregation Shearith Israel for 17 years. He teaches Tanakh at Yeshiva University and has published scholarly articles in several collections of essays and in journals such as the Jewish Bible Quarterly, Jewish Thought, Nahalah, and Tradition. He is the author or editor of 11 books. They both live in New York City.