The Living Torah : The Five Books of Moses and the Haftarot - A New Translation Based on Traditional Jewish Sources, with notes, introduction, maps, ... & index (English and Hebrew Edition) [Hardcover]

Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1406 pages
• Publisher: Maznaim Publ. Corp. (June 1, 1981)
• Language: English, Hebrew
• ISBN-10: 0940118726
• ISBN-13: 978-0940118720
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #363,066 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #92 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible & Other Sacred Texts > Jewish Texts > Torah

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

89 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstandingly sensitive translation, excellent notes, February 2, 2004

By 

Rabbi Yonassan Gershom (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Living Torah : The Five Books of Moses and the Haftarot - A New Translation Based on Traditional Jewish Sources, with notes, introduction, maps, ... & index (English and Hebrew Edition) (Hardcover)

This is one of the clearest, most readable translations of the Torah (Five Books of Moses, i.e., Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) on the market. I especially recommend it to readers of Aryeh Kaplan's books on Kabbalah and meditation, because the Torah is the basis upon which Jewish mysticism is based. Kaplan's vast knowledge of the Jewish mystical sources is evident here also. He brings to his translation work a deep sensitivity that not only renders the literal meaning of the text, but also clarifies the implied meaning through careful choice of words and detailed footnotes, including maps, diagrams, and drawings of different species of plants and animals, common utensils, clothing, etc. described in the text. In many cases, these are updated from previous English translations, based upon the flora and fauna of Israel, as well as archaeology. (The "turtle" in the old King James Version is not a reptile, it's a bird -- the turtledove.) The diagrams in Leviticus are especially helpful in visualizing the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and the species of permitted and forbidden foods. (How many of us know what a hyrax looks like?) I use this translation regularly in my own Torah studies, and recommend it to anyone who either does not read Hebrew, or who wants a good commentary to go along with the Hebrew text. Ten stars!

81 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The clearest, most precise translation I've seen, September 21, 1999

By A Customer

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This review is from: The Living Torah : The Five Books of Moses and the Haftarot - A New Translation Based on Traditional Jewish Sources, with notes, introduction, maps, ... & index (English and Hebrew Edition) (Hardcover)

Aryeh Kaplan's translation of the Chumash is top-notch -- clear, complete, and precise. His footnotes provide excellent additional information. An excellent way to study Torah if you don't understand the Hebrew.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars English translation of the Torah, August 17, 2008

By 

Michael Jacobs (Los Angeles, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Living Torah : The Five Books of Moses and the Haftarot - A New Translation Based on Traditional Jewish Sources, with notes, introduction, maps, ... & index (English and Hebrew Edition) (Hardcover)

As a long time teacher of Torah studies (about 50 years, this is the only English/Hebrew printed Torah that I regularly recommend to students. The English is both concise and modern... and faithful to the Hebrew.

The font chosen for the Hebrew text is wonderful and exceptionally easy to read.

R. Michael Jacobs