The Way Into Torah [Paperback]

The Torah, strictly identified as the first five books of the Bible, has often been defined in far more expansive terms. One rabbinic tradition employs water as a metaphor for the Torah, suggesting that reading the Torah is, for Jews, literally the most important nourishment in life. Norman J. Cohen, rabbi and Midrash professor at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, endorses that definition in The Way into Torah, an excellent introduction to a central practice of Jewish worship and life. The commandment to read the Torah, Cohen argues, is "the paramount commandment, since without it one cannot understand what God demands of us, and therefore it must lead to action, both ritually and ethically. It is not enough to study in order to merely gain knowledge; the study of the Torah must affect our lives in every way." After describing Torah study as an obligation for all Jews and then exploring the many definitions of the Torah that Jews have propounded, Cohen describes the ways that Jews have interacted with the Torah (from Midrash, an imaginative reading style that adds new chapters to classic Bible stories, to strictly rational legal readings). For Cohen, the Torah is simply the most powerful means by which Jews may experience God's presence. For readers who require testimonial, Cohen has assembled a cloud of witnesses ranging from Rabbi Hillel to the actor Kirk Douglas, who once told a group of acting students: "Study the Torah--all the best scripts are there. Whatever dramatic device you can dream up, God thought of it first." --Michael Joseph Gross --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Cohen, provost and professor of Midrash at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, has written a clearly delineated and persuasive guide to studying the Torah (including the Pentateuch, the Bible, and the corpus of classic Jewish texts). He discusses the importance of Torah study, who should study Torah, defining Torah, discovering the meaning of Torah, and the importance of being a part of a community of individuals seeking meaning through Judaism. In the process of explicating selected Torah texts, he demonstrates the power behind the words and encourages readers to study Torah more profoundly and meaningfully. This is the first in the publisher's promising new "The Way Into" series, which will continue to explore other aspects of Jewish faith, people, history, and beliefs. Highly recommended for Judaic collections.DMarcia Welsh, formerly of the Guilford Free Lib., CT
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

This first in a projected 14-part series offering paths into various facets of Jewish life reveals the way into the study of Torah, the sacred texts of Judaism. Technically, Torah refers to the first five books of the Bible, but in a larger sense, the term encompasses all the commentaries, interpretations, and legends that have been ascribed to it. Cohen gets readers off to a good start by explaining what Torah is, its history, and why it's important to the Jewish people as a vehicle of divine revelation. He goes on to explain how Torah study can be transformational and who should study Torah (with a very interesting interpretation of the role of women). In general terms, he also covers how to study (find a community of learners and a study partner). Cohen's practical advice is useful, to be sure, but it is his philosophical ruminations--on how ever-expanding interpretations of terse biblical texts can bring one closer to God--that make wonderfully clear why Torah study has endured for millennia. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

“Cohen’s commentaries cut to the quick—his Torah is alive and we are the protagonists.” -- —Rabbi Burton L. Visotzky, Appleman Chair of Midrash and Interreligious Studies, The Jewish Theological Seminary of America

“Norman Cohen shares with his readers what, for many years, he has been giving his students: rare erudition, sensitivity, and insight.” -- —Elie Wiesel

“Offers intellectual enlightenment and spiritual guidance for learners at any stage in their spiritual journey.” -- —Rabbi Judith Z. Abrams, Ph.D., founder and director of Maqom, An Adult School for Talmud Study

“Presents places where biblical paradigms meet modern complexities. His conclusions will provoke and challenge the modern reader.” -- —Dr. Deirdre Good, Th.D., Professor of New Testament, The General Theological Seminary --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

An accessible introduction to how to read, study, and understand Torah—the Bible and related sacred texts that have grown up around it. For everyone who wants to understand Torah, this book shows the way into an essential aspect of Judaism, and allows you to interact directly with the sacred texts of the Jewish tradition. Guided by Dr. Norman J. Cohen, rabbi and professor of midrash at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, The Way Into Torah helps us explore the origins and development of Torah, why it should be studied, and how to do it. What Torah is. The texts, and beyond: Not simply the Five Books of Moses, Torah refers to much more than written words. The different approaches to studying Torah. The many ways Jews have interacted with Torah through the ages and how, by learning to read Torah ourselves, we can connect it to our lives today. The levels of understanding Torah. How Torah can come alive in different ways, at different times; and how new meanings of Torah are discovered by its readers. Why Torah study is a part of the Jewish experience. How it allows us to experience God’s presence—and why the Rabbis called Torah study more important even than belief in God. This guide offers an entrance into the world of Torah, and to its meaning for our lives. The Way Into Torah shows us why reading Torah is not the same as reading anything else—and enables us to become a part of a chain of Jewish tradition that began millennia ago, and remains unbroken today. Dr. Norman J. Cohen renowned for his expertise in Torah study and midrash, lectures frequently to audiences of many faiths. He is a rabbi, former provost of Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, and professor of midrash. He is the author of Self, Struggle & Change: Family Conflict Stories in Genesis and Their Healing Insights for Our Lives; Moses and the Journey to Leadership: Timeless Lessons of Effective Management from the Bible and Today’s Leaders (both Jewish Lights); and other books.

The Way Into…

In 14 volumes, The Way Into…Series offers an accessible and highly usable “guided tour” of the Jewish faith, people, history and beliefsin total, an introduction to Judaism that will enable you to understand and interact with the sacred texts of Jewish tradition. Each volume is written by a leading contemporary scholar and teacher, and explores one key aspect of Judaism. The Way Into… enables all readers to achieve a real sense of Jewish cultural literacy through guided study. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Dr. Norman J. Cohen is Provost of Hebrew Union CollegeJewish Institute of Religion, where he is also Professor of Midrash. Renowned for his expertise in Torah study and midrash (the process of finding contemporary meaning from ancient biblical texts), he lectures frequently to audiences of many faiths. He was a participant in Bill Moyers’ Genesis: A Living Conversation series on PBS. His books include Self, Struggle & Change: Family Conflict Stories in Genesis and Their Healing Insights for Our Lives and Voices from Genesis: Guiding Us through the Stages of Life (both Jewish Lights). --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.