Onkelos On The Torah; Understanding the Bible Text ( Exodus) [Hardcover]

Israel Drazin (Author), Stanley M. Wagner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 30, 2005

Onkelos On the Torah: Understanding the Bible Text is a unique and remarkable translation and English commentary of the Targum Onkelos, the first and only rabbinically authorized translation of the Torah. The Book of Exodus, the first of this five-volume set to be published. is a deluxe edition, which contains the Hebrew Massoretic text, a vocalized text of Onkelos and Rashi, Haphtarot in Hebrew with an English translation from the Aramaic Targumim, a scholarly appendix, and a “Beyond the Text” exploration of biblical themes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

An enormous labor, presenting vast quantities of information, handsomely designed, user friendly and an important reference for years to come. -- Intermountain Jewish News, June 2006

At last the English speaking world will be able to understand why our Sages mandated the weekly reading of Onkelos. -- Rabbi Yona Metzger, Chief Rabbi of Israel

Historical exegetical perspectives are covered intelligently and helpfully, so that the reader becomes aware of the characteristics of the text. -- Dr. Avivah Zornberg, author of Genesis: The Beginning of Desire and The Particulars of Rapture: Reflections on Exodus

In Gefen's handsome new volume the authors translate Onkelos into modern English supplying detailed commentary on 10,000 meaningful deviations. -- David Klinghoffer, Religion BookLine -- Publishers Weekly, 2/22/2006

In an imaginatively conceived book the authors have enriched our understanding on how the Bible itself is to be read. -- Michael Rosenak, The Hebrew University, emeritus

Very clearly printed and notated in both Hebrew and English, making it very easy to find a particular reference. -- Isranet Book Review by Edgar Asher

About the Author

Israel Drazin is the author of seven books, five of which are on Targum Onkelos. He was the first scholar to recognize that the Targum took hundreds of items from the Tannaitic Midrashim- those that were edited around 400 C.E.- and even incorporated many words found in these Midrashim in his translation. He was able, therefore, to date the Targum Onkelos around 400 C.E., a period much later than is widely accepted, because of the Targum’s reliance upon these Midrashim. Stanley M. Wagner is Rabbi Emeritus of The Beth HaMedrosh HaGadol-Beth Joseph Congregation in Denver, Colorado; Professor Emeritus at the University of Denver and Founding Director and Director Emeritus of its Center for Judaic Studies; and Founding Director and Director Emeritus of the Mizel Museum in Denver. He wrote, edited, or co-edited four volumes, A Piece of My Mind, Traditions of the American Jew, Great Confrontations in Jewish History and Great Schisms in Jewish History and was General Editor of a six volume series entitled Christian and Jewish Traditions in the 20th Century.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 408 pages
• Publisher: Gefen Publishing House; 1st edition (December 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9652293415
• ISBN-13: 978-9652293411
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #725,097 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #70 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Movements > Orthodox

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich and special, May 3, 2010

By 

Curt (Wakefield, MA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Onkelos On The Torah; Understanding the Bible Text ( Exodus) (Hardcover)

Excellent translation and commentary. Highly recommended. This will cause you to appreciate the Scriptures like never before. The commentary alone is priceless and so very rich with much food for thought.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Decent MO shul chumash, June 3, 2010

By 

Rustin M. Shenkman - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Onkelos On The Torah; Understanding the Bible Text ( Exodus) (Hardcover)

This series is a worthy alternative to the ubiquitous Stone Chumash (Artscroll). There are quite a few synagogue bibles coming out of Israel these days. For those of us with weak Hebrew skills, however, there are a relatively small number of well written and handsome volumes to choose from.

I think this chumash series is worth a look. It has a quasi-academic feel but still geared toward laymen and it has enough interesting commentary to keep it from being just a dry rendering of Targum Onkelos. Not quite as refined at some of the others, but still admirable quality for this price point.

Bottom line: This is a synagogue chumash that is a little out of the ordinary but Traditional enough to carry to any synagogue.