Description
Book SynopsisYou are invited to spend a year with the inspiring ideas of the Sages through their reflections on the fifty-four weekly Torah portions and the eleven Jewish holidays. Quoting from the week's Torah portion, Rabbi Reuven Hammer presents a Torah commentary, selections from the Sages that chronicle their process of interpreting the text.
Trade Review"If you read Rabbi Hammer's book you will see not only what the Text originally meant, and what the Sages read into and out of its worlds, but you will also see what the Torah can mean to us here and now. . . . I suggest that we accept Rabbi Hammer's invitation, and spend a year with him as he goes through the pshat, and then the words of the midrash, and then sees the Torah through his own eyes."—Rabbi Jack Riemer,
Jewish Advocate"
A Year with the Sages is an ideal companion for readers looking to add a touch of scholarly inquiry to their weekly Torah study. It is perfect for those interested in a daily dose of Jewish thought, and is designed to delight the intellect and deepen understandings of Judaism throughout history."—Jessie Horness,
Foreword Reviews"[Hammer's] writing is fresh and warm and is always food for thought and it is as if he is holding our hands and guiding us through the holy writings and we see ancient paths become new. His commentaries are in a tripartite fashion (explanation, exposition of Sages, and personal reflections) and they give us enlightenment and erudition. They are also learned, relevant, and eloquent and above all, insightful."—Amos Lassen,
Reviews by Amos Lassen"Hammer does an excellent job offering insights on each
parasha.
A Year with the Sages would work well for a discussion group on the Torah text, or for individuals looking for additional commentary for their own weekly Torah study."—Rabbi Rachel Esserman,
Reporter"I would highly recommend engaging with
A Year with the Sages and Rabbi Hammer’s interpretations. I think it will broaden our vision of the nature of God and the way in which Scripture speaks to us today."—Robert Cornwall,
Ponderings on a Faith Journey"
A Year with the Sages: Wisdom on the Weekly Torah Portion is the last book that Rabbi Reuven Hammer wrote before he died, and it is in some senses his best."—Rabbi Jack Riemer,
Jerusalem Post“Any publication by Rabbi Reuven Hammer is cause for celebration. His wisdom, warmth, and depth are treasures.
A Year with the Sages is exceptional—the contemporary sage, Rabbi Hammer, guides us in walking the path of the ancient sages.”—Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, American Jewish University
“Reuven Hammer examines a portion of each week’s Torah and holiday readings in a unique tripartite fashion—Explanation, Exposition of Sages, and Personal Reflections—offering us his in-depth knowledge of Torah, erudite mastery of Rabbinic sources, and enlightening reflections. The end result—
A Year with the Sages—is a truly valuable contribution to us all.”—Shalom M. Paul, professor emeritus in Bible studies, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
“
A Year with the Sages offers a learned, relevant, and eloquent reaction to each weekly Torah portion for the entire year. These essays are insightful in preparing for Bible study classes, for sermonic presentations, and for an ongoing rhythm of engagement with sacred texts. Rabbi Hammer’s breadth of knowledge combines scholarship with current-day life wisdom. This is a worthy addition to both personal and communal Jewish libraries.”—Rabbi Alan Silverstein, president of Mercaz Olami, past president of the International Rabbinical Assembly and of Masorti Olami
“Hammer sheds insightful light on the meaning of Torah for both the rabbinic period and our time.”—Rabbi Steven Reuben, senior rabbi emeritus of Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation in Pacific Palisades, California
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Introduction
1. Genesis (Bere’shit)
Bere’shit: A Fence Too Tall
Noaḥ: Human Nature
Lekh Lekha: Making Souls
Va-yera’: Loving One Another
Ḥayyei Sarah: Sarah’s Tent
Toledot: The Voice of Jacob
Va-yetse’: The Place
Va-yishlaḥ: Jacob’s Dilemma
Va-yeshev: Joseph the Youth
Mikkets: The Dangers of Power
Va-yiggash: Learning with a Sage
Va-yeḥi: No Unworthy Children
2. Exodus (Shemot)
Shemot: Where Was God?
Va-’era’: Steeped in Idolatry
Bo’: Divine Protection
Be-shallaḥ: A Surfeit of Prayer
Yitro: Diminishing the Image
Mishpatim: Mitzvot with Meaning
Terumah: Creating the Sanctuary
Tetsavveh: For Whom the Light Burns
Ki Tissa’: Sin and Reconciliation
Va-yak’hel: Enough Gold
Pekudei: A Symbol to the Nations of Forgiveness
3. Leviticus (Va-yikra’)
Va-yikra’: Sacrifices Then and Now
Tsav: Concern for Our Welfare
Shemini: Alien Fire
Tazria’: Dealing with Impurity
Metsora’: Speaking Evil
‘Aḥarei Mot: Attaining Atonement
Kedoshim: The Essence of Torah
‘Emor: Am I a Barbarian?
Be-har: Do No Wrong
Be-ḥukkotai: The Hope
4. Numbers (Be-midbar)
Be-midbar: Surviving the Wilderness
Naso’: Great Is Peace
Be-ha’alotekha: The Evil Tongue
Shelaḥ-Lekha: Fringe Benefits
Koraḥ: Controversies Proper and Improper
Ḥukkat: A Perplexing Law
Balak: The Ways of Peace
Pinḥas: Respecting Difference
Mattot: People before Wealth
Mase’ei: Defiling the Land
5. Deuteronomy (Devarim)
Devarim: Words of Rebuke
Va-’etḥannan: The Grace of God
‘Ekev: Searching for Truth
Re’eh: One Sanctuary for the One God
Shofetim: Justice for All
Ki Tetse’: Cruelty versus Kindness
Ki Tavo’: Coming to the Land
Nitsavim: Not in the Heavens
Va-yelekh: Caring for the Flock
Ha’azinu: Destruction, Vengeance, and Vindication
Ve-zo’t ha-berakhah: The Death of Moses
6. Holidays
Rosh Hashanah: Sound the Shofar
Yom Kippur: Sending Our Sins Away
Sukkot: The Festival Par Excellence
Shemini Atzeret: Tarry a While
Simchat Torah: The Never-Ending Cycle
Hanukkah: Light versus Might
Purim: Why Not Bow Down?
Pesach: Festival of Freedom
Yom ha-Shoah: The Cry of the Lowly
Yom ha-Atzmaut: Land of Milk and Honey
Shavuot: The New Covenant
Selected Bibliography
