{"product_id":"a-year-with-the-sages-9780827613119","title":"A Year with the Sages","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYou 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"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, \u003ci\u003eJewish Advocate\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"\u003ci\u003eA Year with the Sages\u003c\/i\u003e 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, \u003ci\u003eForeword Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"[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, \u003ci\u003eReviews by Amos Lassen\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Hammer does an excellent job offering insights on each \u003ci\u003eparasha\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003ci\u003eA Year with the Sages\u003c\/i\u003e 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, \u003ci\u003eReporter\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I would highly recommend engaging with \u003ci\u003eA Year with the Sages\u003c\/i\u003e 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, \u003ci\u003ePonderings on a Faith Journey\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"\u003ci\u003eA Year with the Sages: Wisdom on the Weekly Torah Porti\u003c\/i\u003eon is the last book that Rabbi Reuven Hammer wrote before he died, and it is in some senses his best.\"—Rabbi Jack Riemer, \u003ci\u003eJerusalem Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Any publication by Rabbi Reuven Hammer is cause for celebration. His wisdom, warmth, and depth are treasures. \u003ci\u003eA Year with the Sages\u003c\/i\u003e 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\u003cbr\u003e“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—\u003ci\u003eA Year with the Sages—\u003c\/i\u003eis a truly valuable contribution to us all.”—Shalom M. Paul, professor emeritus in Bible studies, Hebrew University of Jerusalem\u003cbr\u003e“\u003ci\u003eA Year with the Sages\u003c\/i\u003e 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\u003cbr\u003e“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\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAcknowledgments    \u003cbr\u003e Introduction    \u003cbr\u003e 1. Genesis (Bere’shit)\u003cbr\u003e Bere’shit: A Fence Too Tall    \u003cbr\u003e Noaḥ: Human Nature    \u003cbr\u003e Lekh Lekha: Making Souls    \u003cbr\u003e Va-yera’: Loving One Another    \u003cbr\u003e Ḥayyei Sarah: Sarah’s Tent    \u003cbr\u003e Toledot: The Voice of Jacob    \u003cbr\u003e Va-yetse’: The Place    \u003cbr\u003e Va-yishlaḥ: Jacob’s Dilemma    \u003cbr\u003e Va-yeshev: Joseph the Youth    \u003cbr\u003e Mikkets: The Dangers of Power    \u003cbr\u003e Va-yiggash: Learning with a Sage    \u003cbr\u003e Va-yeḥi: No Unworthy Children    \u003cbr\u003e 2. Exodus (Shemot)\u003cbr\u003e Shemot: Where Was God?     \u003cbr\u003e Va-’era’: Steeped in Idolatry    \u003cbr\u003e Bo’: Divine Protection    \u003cbr\u003e Be-shallaḥ: A Surfeit of Prayer    \u003cbr\u003e Yitro: Diminishing the Image    \u003cbr\u003e Mishpatim: Mitzvot with Meaning    \u003cbr\u003e Terumah: Creating the Sanctuary    \u003cbr\u003e Tetsavveh: For Whom the Light Burns    \u003cbr\u003e Ki Tissa’: Sin and Reconciliation    \u003cbr\u003e Va-yak’hel: Enough Gold    \u003cbr\u003e Pekudei: A Symbol to the Nations of Forgiveness    \u003cbr\u003e 3. Leviticus (Va-yikra’)\u003cbr\u003e Va-yikra’: Sacrifices Then and Now    \u003cbr\u003e Tsav: Concern for Our Welfare    \u003cbr\u003e Shemini: Alien Fire    \u003cbr\u003e Tazria’: Dealing with Impurity    \u003cbr\u003e Metsora’: Speaking Evil    \u003cbr\u003e ‘Aḥarei Mot: Attaining Atonement    \u003cbr\u003e Kedoshim: The Essence of Torah    \u003cbr\u003e ‘Emor: Am I a Barbarian?    \u003cbr\u003e Be-har: Do No Wrong    \u003cbr\u003e Be-ḥukkotai: The Hope    \u003cbr\u003e 4. Numbers (Be-midbar)\u003cbr\u003e Be-midbar: Surviving the Wilderness    \u003cbr\u003e Naso’: Great Is Peace    \u003cbr\u003e Be-ha’alotekha: The Evil Tongue    \u003cbr\u003e Shelaḥ-Lekha: Fringe Benefits    \u003cbr\u003e Koraḥ: Controversies Proper and Improper    \u003cbr\u003e Ḥukkat: A Perplexing Law    \u003cbr\u003e Balak: The Ways of Peace    \u003cbr\u003e Pinḥas: Respecting Difference    \u003cbr\u003e Mattot: People before Wealth    \u003cbr\u003e Mase’ei: Defiling the Land    \u003cbr\u003e 5. Deuteronomy (Devarim)\u003cbr\u003e Devarim: Words of Rebuke    \u003cbr\u003e Va-’etḥannan: The Grace of God    \u003cbr\u003e ‘Ekev: Searching for Truth    \u003cbr\u003e Re’eh: One Sanctuary for the One God    \u003cbr\u003e Shofetim: Justice for All    \u003cbr\u003e Ki Tetse’: Cruelty versus Kindness    \u003cbr\u003e Ki Tavo’: Coming to the Land    \u003cbr\u003e Nitsavim: Not in the Heavens    \u003cbr\u003e Va-yelekh: Caring for the Flock    \u003cbr\u003e Ha’azinu: Destruction, Vengeance, and Vindication    \u003cbr\u003e Ve-zo’t ha-berakhah: The Death of Moses    \u003cbr\u003e 6. Holidays\u003cbr\u003e Rosh Hashanah: Sound the Shofar    \u003cbr\u003e Yom Kippur: Sending Our Sins Away    \u003cbr\u003e Sukkot: The Festival Par Excellence    \u003cbr\u003e Shemini Atzeret: Tarry a While    \u003cbr\u003e Simchat Torah: The Never-Ending Cycle    \u003cbr\u003e Hanukkah: Light versus Might    \u003cbr\u003e Purim: Why Not Bow Down?     \u003cbr\u003e Pesach: Festival of Freedom    \u003cbr\u003e Yom ha-Shoah: The Cry of the Lowly    \u003cbr\u003e Yom ha-Atzmaut: Land of Milk and Honey    \u003cbr\u003e Shavuot: The New Covenant    \u003cbr\u003e Selected Bibliography    ","brand":"Jewish Publication Society","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49406202478935,"sku":"9780827613119","price":999.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/a-year-with-the-sages-9780827613119","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}