33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thorough and thought provoking, December 5, 2000
This review is from: The JPS Torah Commentary: Numbers (Hardcover)
Of the five commentaries in the JPS series on the first five books of the Bible, Milgrom's is the best.
Milgrom's commentary reveals a healthy respect for classical Jewish commentators but doesn't hesitate to address and add modern Biblical research. Milgrom excels when explaining the more obscure portions of Numbers, such as the rituals, calendars, and sacrifices. In addition to his verse by verse commentary, Milgrom adds lengthy excurses, exploring in more depth the issues raised in the commentary.
For example, his insights into the meaning of "tzitzit" - the fringes attached to four cornered garments - are outstanding. Milgrom argues that attaching the linen tzitzit with the dyed blue thread (techelet) to one's garment as required by the text, rendered the garment "shaatnez" - a forbidden combination of wool and linen. Milgrom notes that "shaatnez" is generally forbidden to be worn, but was permitted to be used in the construction of the Tabernacle and the clothing of the priests. By allowing, indeed requiring, every Israelite to attach shaatnez tzitzit to the corners of his/her garments, the Bible was drumming into the people the mandate that they be "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."
Similarly, Milgrom's treatment of the paradox of the Red Cow, whose ashes purified those rendered impure by contact with the dead but rendered impure those who handled them is a tour de force of modern Biblical scholarship.
On almost every page, you will enjoy reading insights you may never before have come across. This book is a treasure for anyone willing to spend the time it requires.
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18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best guide to "Numbers" yet available, October 16, 2000
This review is from: The JPS Torah Commentary: Numbers (Hardcover)
Like all the volumes in the JPS Torah commentary series, this volume is simply the best in its area. It contains the complete Hebrew text of Genesis, the JPS's new English translation, and an extensive original commentary that illuminates the text like a 1000 watt searchlight. On average, each four or five lines of text gets a full page of explanation and commentary, so every subject gets covered in detail.
Like all the JPS Torah commentators, this work use of traditional rabbinic commentaries, and the Mishna, Midrash and Talmud. But it doesn't end here: The commentary goes on to make good use of literary analysis and comparative Semitics; intertextual commentary relating each book to other biblical books, and evidence from modern archaeological, discoveries.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very well done commentary, February 8, 2008
This review is from: The JPS Torah Commentary: Numbers (Hardcover)
Written, of course, for Jewish readers and scholars, this is nonetheless a thorough commentary. It discusses almost every issue in the book of Numbers. What is not discussed in the commentary proper is addressed in the incredible number of excursuses. This is actually what convinced me to purchase the commentary. It also has good discussions on the language issues in both the commentary proper and in some of the other articles. It would make a good addition to your library and comes highly recommended.
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