Samson ben Raphael Hirsch [* Hamburg (Germany) June 1808, died Dec. 1888 Frankfurt a/M (Germany)], Rabbi, writer. Through him Frankfurt am Main became focus of German Orthodoxy. In his „Nineteen Letters of Ben Uzziel“ and „Horeb“, he opposed religious reform, expressing belief in need for an unending loyalty to Torah, and conception that, until advent of the Messiah, Jews are not a people but group of believers performing obligations of written and oral laws. Ideologist of neo–Orthodoxy, continuity of traditional Orthodoxy in European culture. (Source: Encyclopedic Dictionary of Judaica 1974)
Translators: Isaac Levy, grandson of S. R. Hirsch, son of Michael Levy and Guttchen (Jenny) née Hirsch, born London, England (U.K.) 1885, died Dec. 14. 1973. Residence: Southend-on-Sea, Essex (U.K.) • Gertrude "Trude" Reizel–Hirschler, daughter of Bernhard Bunim–Hirschler and Alice Dukes, born Wien (Vienna), Austria, Aug 11. 1929, died New York NY (U.S.A.), Jan 18. 1994.
Vol. I: Genesis (1989)
Title: The Pentateuch / Volume I / Genesis / translated and explained / by / Samson Raphael Hirsch / Rendered into English / by / Isaac Levy
Date: Ⓒ 1963 by Isaac Levy. Second edition (completely revised) 1989
Publisher: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England (U.K.): Judaica Press
Contents: Book of Genesis • ספר בראשית. – Author´s Preface with photograph • Translator´s Foreword • Introduction to the First English Edition of S. R. Hirsch´s Commentary on the Torah
Language: Hebrew and English
References:
Images: (cover; title)
Location: Collection Bibelarchiv–Birnbaum (www.bibelpedia.com). Karlsruhe, Baden. Germany
Comments: Hardcover octavo, sewn binding; XXX & 688 pp.; Scripture text Hebrew/ English in double column per page, verse-wise; copious explanations beneath. – One page „Author´s Preface“, dated Adar 1st 5627 [=Feb. 6, 1867], Frankfort a/M. (signed). Hirsch writes among others,
»The goal that has been aimed at is as follows: – to derive the explanation of the text from the words themselves; to arrive at this explanation from the nuances of the particular expression used in each case; to derive the fundamental meaning of the words from the rich fund of linguistic explanations which we possess in our traditional writings; out of these traditional disquisitions on the biblical text, and the halachic and agadic explanations of them, to explore and establish the facts out of which the Jewish outlook on the world and on life has formed itself, and which, for all time, form the norms of Jewish life.«
Isaac Levy, in his brief „Translator´s Foreword“, dated Sivan 5723 (=June 1963), mentions,
»I have completely revised this second edition but have kept to the literal, almost word for word translation of the great work of my Grandfather S. R. Hirsch זצ‘‘ל “Der Pentateuch übersetzt und erläutert“ which was first published in Frankfurt -a-M between 1867 and 1878. In a few instances i have curtailed, or even omitted long etymological passages, and occasionally, when I thought it might take the meaning more clear to English readers, I have inserted a word or explanatory comment. Such additions are enclosed in brackets marked with my initials.«
Dayan Dr. I. (Isidor Yishai haCohen) Grunfeld wrote, dated London, England, Sivan 5719 [=June 1959] the 23 pp “Introduction to the First English Edition of S. R. Hirsch´s Commentary on the Torah“. We read as to the translation of the Torah,
»The connection between the Written and Oral law is not merely a legal matter; it is fundamental for the interpretation of the whole text of the Bible, which cannot possibly be understood without the oral tradition. This refers particularly to the text of the Pentateuch.«
Vol. II: Exodus (1989)
Title: The Pentateuch / Volume II / Exodus / translated and explained / by / Samson Raphael Hirsch / Rendered into English / by / Isaac Levy
Date: Ⓒ 1967 by Isaac Levy. Second edition (completely revised) 1989
Publisher: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England (U.K:): Judaica Press
Contents: Book of Exodus • ספר שמות – Translator´s Foreword •
Language: Hebrew and English
References:
Images: (cover; title)
Location: Collection Bibelarchiv–Birnbaum (www.bibelpedia.com). Karlsruhe, Baden. Germany
Comments: Hardcover octavo, sewn binding; (6), 712 & (2) pp.; Scripture text Hebrew/ English in double column per page, verse-wise; extensive explanations beneath. – Isaac Levy´s brief “Translator´s Foreword“ (see Vol. I) is also printed.
Vol. III: Leviticus -1- (1989)
Title: The Pentateuch / Volume III / Leviticus (part I) / translated and explained / by / Samson Raphael Hirsch / Rendered into English / by / Isaac Levy
Date: Ⓒ 1962 by Isaac Levy. Second edition (completely revised). 1989
Publisher: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England (U.K:): Judaica Press
Contents: Leviticus (chs. I to XV) • ויקרא א – Translator´s Foreword •
Language: Hebrew and English
References:
Images: (cover; title)
Location: Collection Bibelarchiv–Birnbaum (www.bibelpedia.com). Karlsruhe, Baden. Germany
Comments: Hardcover octavo, sewn binding; (6), 413 & (5 empty) pp.; Scripture text Hebrew/ English in double column per page, verse-wise; extensive explanations beneath. –
Vol. III: Leviticus -2- (1973)
Title: The Pentateuch / Volume III. Leviticus (part II) / translated and explained / by / Samson Raphael Hirsch / Rendered into English / by / Isaac Levy
Date: Ⓒ 1962 by Isaac Levy. 2nd edition (completely revised). 1973
Publisher: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England (U.K:): Judaica Press
Contents: Leviticus (chs. XVI to end) • ויקרא ב
Language: Hebrew and English
References:
Images: (cover; title)
Location: Collection Bibelarchiv–Birnbaum (www.bibelpedia.com). Karlsruhe, Baden. Germany
Comments: Hardcover octavo, sewn binding; (4), pp. 414 to 841 & (3 empty) [=434] pp.; Scripture text Hebrew/ English in double column per page, verse-wise; extensive explanations beneath. –
Vol. IV: Numbers (1973)
Title: The Pentateuch / Volume IV. Numbers / translated and explained / by / Samson Raphael Hirsch / Rendered into English / by / Isaac Levy
Date: Ⓒ 1964 by Isaac Levy. 2nd edition (completely revised). 1973
Publisher: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England (U.K:): Judaica Press
Contents: Numbers במדבר • Translator´s Foreword
Language: Hebrew and English
References:
Images: (cover; title)
Location: Collection Bibelarchiv–Birnbaum (www.bibelpedia.com). Karlsruhe, Baden. Germany
Comments: Hardcover octavo, sewn binding; (6), 582 & (2 empty) pp.; Scripture text Hebrew/ English in double column per page, verse-wise; extensive explanations beneath. – Isaac Levy´s Foreword (as above) dates Tishri 5725 (= Sep./ Oct. 1964)
Vol. V: Deuteronomy (1973)
Title: The Pentateuch / Volume V. Deuteronomy / translated and explained / by / Samson Raphael Hirsch / Rendered into English / by / Isaac Levy
Date: Ⓒ 1966 by Isaac Levy. 2nd edition (completely revised). 1973
Publisher: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England (U.K:): Judaica Press
Contents: Deuteronomy דברים • Translator´s Foreword
Language: Hebrew and English
References:
Images: (cover; title)
Location: Collection Bibelarchiv–Birnbaum (www.bibelpedia.com). Karlsruhe, Baden. Germany
Comments: Hardcover octavo, sewn binding; (6), 687 & (1 empty) pp.; Scripture text Hebrew/ English in double column per page, verse-wise; extensive explanations beneath. – Isaac Levy´s Foreword (as above), dates Tamuz 5726 (= June / July 1966)
The Pentateuch with Haftaroth and Five Megilloth (revised, 1986)
Title: The Pentateuch / תרומת צבי [trumath zvi*] / with a translation by / Samson Raphael Hirsch / and excerpts from / The Hirsch Commentary / Edited by Ephraim Oratz / English translation / from the original German by / Gertrude Hirschler [and Abraham J. Rosenberg]
Date: Ⓒ 1986. Second printing 1990
Publisher: New York N.Y. (U.S.A.): The Judaica Press
Contents: Pentateuch / Torah, Haftaroth, Five Megilloth. – Table of Contents • Acknowledgements (signed by Jack Goldman, Judaica Press) • Rabbinic Approbations, by Isaac Elhanan [Spektor] of Kovno, Lithuania, 3rd Marheshvan 5656 (1895), R. Jacob I. Ruderman, Baltimore MD, Nisan 5746 (=April 1986) and R. Moses Feinstein, (date unreadable) • Dedication • Editor´s Foreword by Ephraim Oratz, dated Jerusalem, 27th Tevet 5745 (=Jan 20, 1985) • S. R. Hirsch: His Life and Work (G. Hirschler) • Notes on the Translation (G.Hirschler) • Author´s Preface, dated Frankfurt am Main, I Adar 6727 (Feb. 1867). – Blessings for the Reading of the Torah and the Haftarah, Cantillation Signs.
Language: Hebrew and English
References:
Images: (Cover DJ, titles)
Location: Collection Bibelarchiv–Birnbaum (www.bibelpedia.com). Karlsruhe, Baden. Germany
Comments: *The Hebrew title translates "Donation of Zvi" (Hirsch = deer).
The translations in this edition are quite different from the above Torah and Haftoroth Books. The English rendering of the Torah was made anew by Gertrude Hirschler, the Haftoroth and Megillot were made by Rabbi Abraham J. Rosenberg, who also translated the Scriptures in the Judaica Books of the Prophets series; this includes also Introductory material and Instructions.
Hardcover quarto with DJ, sewn binding; XXIV & 1058 pp; Scripture texts Hebrew / English in double column per page; footnotes with explanations (Torah only).
Hirsch´s biography is extensively told by G. Hirschler (4½ pp), as are the „Notes on the Translation (2 pp).
Book of Psalms (1978)
Title: The Psalms / Translation and Commentary / by / Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch / Rendered into English / by / Gertrude Hirschler
Date: Ⓒ 1960, 1966, 1976, 1977, 1991. New, Corrected Edition. 5737 / 1978
Publisher: Jerusalem (Israel): Philipp Feldheim • The Samson Raphael Hirsch Publication Society. • Spring Valley NY (U.S.A.): Feldheim Publishers.
Contents: Psalms ספר תהלים • II. Samuel 23:1–7 • Dedication • [Prolegomenon] • Foreword • Introduction. – Appendix: The Accents in the Book of Psalms.
Language: Hebrew and English
References:
Images: (cover; title)
Location: Collection Bibelarchiv–Birnbaum (www.bibelpedia.com). Karlsruhe, Baden. Germany
Comments: Hardcover octavo, sewn binding; XVIII & 500 pp.; Scripture text Hebrew/ English in double column per page, verse-wise; extensive explanations beneath. – In the 1-page Prolegomenon, the editors write about the translation,
»In the English version of Hirsch´s translation of the Psalms, additional words in brackets have been supplied wherever this was deemed necessary for the sake of greater clarity. Every effort was made to refrain from the use of archaisms, except the pronouns “thou“ and “thee“ were employed in certain instances where it was believed that their use would lend greater dignity, particularly whenever the Deity is addressed.«
More than two pages Rabbi Dr. Joseph Breuer spent on the Foreword (not dated); we read,
»If, accordingly, the Psalms are read in the context of God´s Torah, it can be readily understood that the results of Rabbi Hirsch´s scholarly research which he developed in such details in his Commentary to the Torah should receive further elaboration along the same lines in the Commentary to the Book of Psalms. The English version of Rabbi Hirsch´s Commentary to the Book of Psalms constitutes an important supplement to the English translations already published of the first three volumes of the Commentary to the Torah. It is hoped that the remaining volumes of the latter work will also soon be available to the English–speaking public.«
The Author´s Introduction to the German original version, dated Frankfort-on-the-Main, Kislev 5642 (=Dec. 1881, 6 pp.) includes a translation of II. Samuel 23:1–7, as „in this, the last spiritual testament of David, lies the true key to the Psalms, and we therefore wish to quote it here both in its original text and in the translation.“
Hebrew title of "חמשה חומשי תורה - chamishah chumshi torah" (five fifth of Torah), from right to left: “sefer bereshit“, “sefer shemot“, “sefer vayikra (1)“, “sefer vayikra (2)“, “sefer bemidbar“, “sefer devarim“,
From left: Hebrew titles of “sefer tehillim“, “Trumath Zvi" • The array of the 7 Hirsch volumes shows two mixed editions of the 6 Torah books; note the different sizes and covers. –– For the translation of the "Haftoroth" to the Torah/ Pentateuch by M. Mendel Hirsch see M. Mendel Hirsch
