ParshaNut: 54 Journeys into the World of Torah Commentary

In the spirit of Nechama Leibowitz’s classic, New Studies in the Weekly Parsha, Rabbi David Kasher offers 54 essays exploring the vast but understudied genre of Jewish literature known as parshanut, or Torah commentary. From the masters of midrash who began the tradition, to the medieval commentators who defined the style, on down to the scholars of the modern age, Kasher leads an impassioned and engaging tour through the history of Jewish Biblical interpretation.“With engaging clarity and vivacity, Kasher presents a wide range of traditional commentaries on the biblical text. In each chapter, he poses a central question which then becomes a field for vigorous discussion, pursued in a contemporary conversational tone. Kasher arrives at sometimes provocative resolutions and the reader is drawn into the work of parshanut, of biblical interpretation, which is clearly a passion for him, and irresistibly becomes a passion for the reader too.”– Dr. Avivah Gottleib Zornberg, Author of Genesis: The Beginning of Desire“Rabbi David Kasher has written a magnificent commentary on the Torah. With echoes of Nechama Leibowitz, the work beautifully synthesizes traditional commentaries with creative insights. Intellectually deep and yet accessible to all. A masterful book.”– Rabbi Avi Weiss, Founder of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah & Yeshivat Maharat“To read this book is to get a front row seat in the classroom of a master teacher. Rabbi Kasher’s voice is as accessible as his insights are profound. From the most learned reader to the true beginner, Rabbi Kasher leaves us enriched and wiser, granting us access to our own sacred inheritance.”– Rabbi Sharon Brous, Founder and Senior Rabbi, IKAR“If a student approached me and said: “I will read one book, but only one book, on the Torah. If I fall in love, I’ll stay. If it falls flat for me, I’m out” – this is the book I would tell them to read.”– Rabbi Benay Lappe, President and Rosh Yeshiva, SVARAThis is the mass-market paperback edition of this timely book. Also available in ebook and hardcover editions.About the Author:Rabbi David Kasher grew up bouncing back and forth between the Bay Area and Brooklyn, hippies and hassidim – and has been trying to synthesize these two worlds ever since. He has a B.A. from Wesleyan University, a J.S.D. from Berkeley Law, and rabbinic ordination from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. Kasher is a teacher of nearly all forms of classical Jewish literature, but Torah commentary is his greatest passion, and he spent five years producing the weekly ParshaNut blog and podcast, exploring the riches of the genre. Read more