Jewish Publication Society - TANAKH

Click here for sample verses from the Jewish Publication Society - TANAKH.

The complete TANAKH published in 1985 lists the translators as follows:

For the Torah and Nevi'im: Max Arzt, Bernard J. Bamberger, Harry Friedman, H.L. Ginsberg, Solomon Grayzel, Harry M. Orlinsky, and Ephraim A. Speiser

For the Kethuvim: Moshe Greenberg, Jonas C. Greenfield, Saul Leeman, Chaim Potok, Martin S. Rozenberg, Nahum M. Sarna, and David Shapiro.

Genesis - 1958 Proof Sheets

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Title: The Book of Genesis of The Holy Scriptures according to the Masoretic Text. Draft Version of the revised translation
Date: 1958
Publisher: Philadelphia PA (U.S.A.): The Jewish Publication Society of America
Contents: Genesis
References: Chamberlin see p. 124-4, Taliaferro-EELBV 8210.
Images: Cover
Comments: "This draft version of the Book of Genesis represents the first fruits of the effort to revise the JPS translation of the Holy Scriptures. While this is not the end product of the Editoral Committee's work, it does illustrate the original aims which motivated the Society and its Committee, as well as the unforseen by-products in terms of new insights into the meaning of the sacred text which have resulted from the work done thus far.
These proof-sheets, a token of work in progress, are being distributed to those who, by their contributions to the Bible Fund, are making the work of revision possible" (printed as an introduction to the proof sheets).

Torah – 1st Ed. 1962

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Title: The Torah תורה ✡ The Five Books of Moses • A new translation of The Holy Scriptures according to the Masoretic text • First Section
Date: © 1962. First edition
Publisher: Philadelphia PA (U.S.A.): The Jewish Publication Society of America
Contents: Torah: Genesis - Deuteronomy. Preface [to the first ed.] (4 pp), [Room for] Notes (10 pp)

References: Chamberlin p. 124-4, Taliaferro-EELBV 8210.070, 8210.071.
Images: First edition cover, First edition title page
Comments: Hardcover ocatvo with DJ; sewn binding, (14) , 394 & (10) pp. Torah text in single column, brief notes, alternate readings and cross references in footnotes. Weekly reading portions indicated in Hebrew.
The editors of the JPS of America wrote a preface, dated Erev Rosh haShana 5722 / Sept 28, 1962: We read that, compared to the JPS 1917 version, »Nevertheless, the need for a new translation has been obvious for years. (…) For significant advances have been made during the past half century in biblical archaeology and in the recovery of the languages and civilizations of the peoples among whom the Israelites lived and whose modes of living and thinking they largely shared. In accuracy alone we believe this translation has improved on the first JPS translation in literally hundreds of passages. (…) The King James Version, upon which almost all English translations of the Bible have hitherto been based, had an archaic flavor even for its readers in the year 1611, when it was first published. Moreover, it rendered the Hebrew to a considerable extend word for word rather than idiomatically, a procedure which nearly always results in quaintness or awkwardness and not infrequently in obscurity. A translation which is stilted where the original is natural, heavy where the original is graceful, or obscure where the original is perfectly intelligible is the very opposite of faithful.«

1962 Torah Jacket with achromatic JPS–logo on spine

Torah – 2nd Ed. 1967

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Title: The Torah תורה ✡ The Five Books of Moses • A new translation of The Holy Scriptures according to the Masoretic text • First Section
Date: © 1962. Second edition (1967), Fourth impression
Publisher: Philadelphia PA (U.S.A.): The Jewish Publication Society of America:
Contents: Torah: Genesis - Deuteronomy. Preface [to the first ed.] (4 pp), Preface to the second edition (½ p). [Room for] Notes (10 pp)
References:Images: Second edition cover, Second edition jacket, Second edition title page,
Location: Collection Bibelarchiv-Birnbaum. Karlsruhe/ Baden, Germany
Comments: Hardcover ocatvo with DJ; sewn binding, (14) , 394 & (10) pp. Torah text in single column, brief notes, alternate readings and cross references in footnotes. Weekly reading portions indicated in Hebrew. Additionally to the preface of the first edition, dated Erev Rosh haShanah 5722 / Sept 28, 1962 , the editors added a preface to this new edition, dated February 1, 1967 . Therein it is said:»
The translators thought it necessary, however, for the sake of greater clarity and faithfulness to the Hebrew text, to subject their work to a thorough re-examination. They incorporated those substantive changes of whose need they had become convinced. Consequently, this second edition, while adhering to the the same policies and principles of Bible translation that were followed in the first edition, occasionally differs from it in phrasing and sometimes in meaning.« Two verses that underwent changes in wording, picked out at random, are e. g. Gen 43:10 and 30.

Notes on the Torah – 1969

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Title: Notes on the New Translation of the The Torah ✡ Edited by Harry M. Orlinsky for the Committee for the Translation of The Torah.
Date: © 5730 – 1969
Publisher: Philadelphia PA (U.S.A.): The Jewish Publication Society of America
Contents: Introduction (1 p); a) The Four Great Ages of Bible Translation (7 pp); b) The Philosophy of Bible Translation (4 pp); c) The Making of the Old (1917) and New (1962) JPS Versions of the Bible (5 pp); The New Jewish Version (NJV) (22 pp). Abbreviations and Terms (2 pp); The English Transliteration of the Hebrew & Key to Abbreviations and Terms (4 pp).
Notes: Genesis, 96 pp; Exodus, 52 pp; Leviticus, 17 pp; Numbers 17 pp; Deuteronomy, 12 pp. - Bibliography, 10 pp; Index of Authors, Subjects and Words, 9 pp.; ; Index of Biblical and other Passages, 8 pp.
References:
Images: Jacket, Cover, Title page
Location: Collection Bibelarchiv-Birnbaum. Karlsruhe/ Baden, Germany

Comments: Hardcover with DJ, octavo, sewn binding, (8) & 288 pp.
The introductory words inform: »The purpose of this volume of NOTES is to account for the significant or interesting departures in the New Jewish Version (NJV) of the Torah from the older version of 1917. The NOTES are intended primarily for the readers of the Torah translation and are based uopn the Second Edition, First Impression of that translation. A projected Hebrew–English edition (to include the Torah, Haftaroth, and Megilloth) will be published in the next year or two. This edition will contain some variations which are intended to improve still further the translation found in the Second Edition. These variations are given in the NOTES and are clearly indicated as belonging to the projected Hebrew-English edition.«
The book is a set of detailed footnotes explaining some of the more tricky and/ or controversial translation choices. Definitely a scholarly work, this would be of help to anyone interested in Bible translations. Non-Jews should be aware, however, that the Hebrew language authorities cited here are primarily Jewish commentators, and the book assumes you already know who scholars like Rashi, Rambam, and Ibn Ezra are.

Torah – 3rd Ed. 1992

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Title: The Torah תורה ✡ The Five Books of Moses • A new translation of The Holy Scriptures according to the Masoretic text • First Section
Date: © 1962. Third edition © 1992 • 5752
Publisher: Philadelphia PA (U.S.A.): The Jewish Publication Society.
Contents: Torah: Genesis - Deuteronomy. Preface [to the first ed.] (4 pp), Preface to the second edition (½ p). [Room for] Notes (4 pp)
References:Images: Third edition cover, Third edition jacket, Third edition title page
Location: Collection Bibelarchiv-Birnbaum. Karlsruhe/ Baden, Germany

Comments: Hardcover octavo with DJ; sewn binding, (14), 406 & (4) pp. Torah text in single column; brief notes, alternate readings and cross references in footnotes. Weekly reading portions indicated in Hebrew. Both prefaces of the first edition, dated Erev Rosh haShanah 5722 / Sept 28, 1962, and the second, dated February 1, 1967, are printed. There‘s no preface to this third edition, but in a note in the impressum we read:
»This printing incorporates many revisions and additions reflecting recent archaeological and scholarly research. The text is consistant with the 1993 printing of the JPS TANAKH.« [One example for a change in wording: Exodus 15:2]
In this third edition JPS used a different type face [I like the old one better (sb)], resulting in a changed line break; the pages are slightly shorter (0.4 cm) compared to the 1962 and 1967 versions.

Genesis - 1966 Revision

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Title: Genesis The N.J.V. Translation Introduction by Harry M. Orlinsky
Date: 1966
Publisher: New York NY (U.S.A.): Harper Torchbooks • The Temple Library, Harper & Row —
Philadelphia PA (U.S.A): The Jewish Publication Society of America
Contents: Genesis
References: Chamberlin 200-8
Images: Cover, Title page
Comments: From the "Preface to the Torchbook Edition: "The version of the translation included in this book is practically the same as that of the 1962 edition. The principles and procedures outlined in the original preface have not been changed. A number of passages, however, have been modified for the sake of uniformity of style or in order to bring the English closer to the Hebrew. — J.P.S. March 21, 1966

The Five Megilloth and Jonah – 1969

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Title: The Five Megilloth and Jonah ❂ חמש מגלות וספר יונה ❖ A New Translation / Introductions by H. L. Ginsberg with drawings by Ismar David
Date: 1969 – תשכ’ט. First Edition, second impression

Publisher: Philadelphia PA (U.S.A.): The Jewish Publication Society of America JPS

Contents: 5 Megilloth: The Song of Songs שיר השירים ✡ Ruth רות ✡ Lamentations איכה ✡ Ecclesiastes קהלת ✡ Esther אסתר ✡ and Book of Jonah יונה

Language: Hebrew and English
References: Taliaferro-EELBV 8210.072.
Images: Title page, Cover
Location: Collection Bibelarchiv–Birnbaum, Karlsruhe/ Baden, Germany
Comments: Clothboard, large octavo with dust jacket, sewn binding. XII & 122 pp. Hebrew on right and English translation on left side of page. »The Hebrew text is that which appears in the Soncino Edition of the Books of the Bible«. The book opens from the right.

Each scroll is introduced, bibliography of related publications included. The publishers wrote a preface, dated Passover Eve, 5729 – April 2, 1969; it is said here: »To be completely useful in the synagogue, however, such a volume [i.e. ´The Torah` of 1962] called for the inclusion of the Five Megilloth and the Book of Jonah, each of which is read in connection with the services on holidays and special occasions in the Jewish calendar.«

The translation was done by the following committee: H. L. Ginsberg as editor–in–chief, Harry M. Orlinsky as fellow editor, and associated with them Max Arzt, Bernard J. Bamberger, Harry Freedman, and Solomon Grayzel.

The Book of Psalms – 1972

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Title: The Book of Psalms ✡ ספר תהלים ❖ A New Translation According to the Traditional Hebrew Text

Date: © 1972. First edition, first impression
Publisher: Philadelphia PA (U.S.A.): The Jewish Publication Society of America (JPS)


Contents: Sefer Tehilim 1 to 150; Preface (2 pp)
References:
Images: Cover, Title page
Location: Collection Bibelarchiv–Birnbaum, Karlsruhe/ Baden, Germany


Comments: Hardcover large octavo with dust jacket, sewn binding, VI & 152 pp.
The committee of translators for the Ketubim comprises professors Moshe Greenberg, Jonas C. Greenfield, Nahum M. Sarna, Saul Leeman, Matin Rozenberg and David Shapiro; Dr. Chaim Potok, editior of the Society, served as secretary of the committee.

The preface writes: »This English rendering of Psalms, the committee´s first work, is a new version, not a revision of an earlier translation. It is based on the received (Masoretic) Hebrew text – its consonants, vowels, and syntactical divisions, although on occasion the traditional accentuation has been disregarded in favor of an alternative construction of a verse that appeared to yield a better sense. (…) Alternative readings have sometimes been offered where the Hebrew permits them. However, emendations of the text have not been proposed. The style of the translation is, on the whole, modern literary English.«

The Scripture text is set verse- wise, psalm–headings are translated; brief notations and cross references in the margin.


Book of Isaiah – 1972

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Title: The Book of Isaiah ✡ ישעיה  A New Translation. Introduction by H. L. Ginsberg
Date: © 1972. (Published:) 5733 ○ 1973
Publisher: : Philadelphia PA (U.S.A.): The Jewish Publication Society of America
Contents: Book of Isaiah ○ Extensive and informative Introduction (17 pp).
References: Taliaferro-EELBV 8210.073.
Images: Jacket, Cover, Title page
Comments: Hardcover large octavo, sewn binding, dust jacket; 116 & (4) pp. Scripture text in double column paragraph- wise. Alternate readings, brief explanations and references in footnotes.

Book of Jeremiah – 1973

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Title: The Book of Jeremiah ✡ ירמיה  A New Translation. With Woodcuts by Nikos Stavroulakis. Introduction by Bernard J. Bamberger.
Committee of translators of the Neviim: H.L. Ginsberg, Harry M. Orlinsky, Max Arzt, Bernard J. Bamberger, Harry Friedman, Solomon Grayzel
Date: © 1973. First Edition (According to the introduction in the 1985 Tanakh it was published a year after »The Book of Isaiah« in 1974)


Publisher: Philadelphia PA (U.S.A.): The Jewish Publication Society of America

Contents: Book of Jeremiah ○ Extensive and informative Introduction (11 pp).
Images: Cover, Title page
Location: Collection Bibelarchiv-Birnbaum. Karlsruhe, Baden. Germany


Comments: Hardcover quarto, sewn binding, dust jacket; XVI & 96 pp. Scripture text in double column paragraph- wise. Alternate readings, brief explanations and references in footnotes. 31 woodcuts, most of them page- filling, illustrate the text.
This is a fine and bibliophile- made book, the largest one of the separate prints to the Tanakh, edited prior to the publication of the Neviim (1978). 


Neviim – 1978

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Title: The Prophets Nevi'im A new translation of The Holy Scriptures according to the Masoretic text Second Section
Date: 1978
Publisher: Philadelphia PA (U.S.A.): The Jewish Publication Society of America
Contents: Jewish Prophets
References: Chamberlin p. 124-4, Taliaferro-EELBV 8210.080.
Images: Jacket, Cover, Title page

The Book of Job – 1980

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Title: The Book of Job ✡ ספר איוב ❖ A New Translation According to the Traditional Hebrew Text – With Introductions by Moshe Greenberg, Jonas C. Greenfield & Nahum M. Sarna
Date: © 1980. First Edition
Publisher: Philadelphia PA (U.S.A.): The Jewish Publication Society of America (JPS)


Contents: The Book of Job; Preface (2 pp); General Introduction (5 pp); The Language of the Book (3 pp); Reflections on Job‘s Theology (7 pp).
Language: Hebrew and English
References:Taliaferro-EELBV 8210.084.
Images: Cover, Title page
Location: Collection Bibelarchiv–Birnbaum. Karlsruhe, Baden. Germany
Comments: Hardcover, large octavo with dust jacket, sewn binding; VIII & 64 pp. The committee of translators for the Ketubim comprises professors Moshe Greenberg, Jonas C. Greenfield, Nahum M. Sarna, Saul Leeman, Martin Rozenberg and David Shapiro; Dr. Chaim Potok, editior of the Society, served as secretary of the committee.

The preface writes: »The present rendering of Job – published now in advance of its inclusion in the forthcoming edition of the committee‘s Kethubim – is a new version, not a revision of an earlier translation. It is based on the received (Masoretic) Hebrew text – its consonants, vowels, and syntactical divisions, although on occasion the traditional accentuation has been disregarded in favor of an alternative construction of a verse that appeared to yield a better sense. (…) For many passages, our as yet imperfect understanding of the language of the Bible or what appears to be some disorderly in the Hebrew text makes sure translation impossible. Our uncertainty is indicated in a note, and alternative renderings have sometimes been offered where the Hebrew permits them. The style of the translation is modern literary English.«
The Scripture text is set verse- wise, English translation on the outer, the Masoretic Hebrew on the inner side of page; brief notations and cross references in the footnotes.


Kethubim

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Title: The Writings Kethubim A new translation of The Holy Scriptures according to the Masoretic text Third Section
Date: 1982
Publisher: Philadelphia PA (U.S.A.): The Jewish Publication Society of America
Contents: Jewish Writings
References: Chamberlin p. 124-4, Taliaferro-EELBV 8210.090.
Images: Jacket, Cover, Title page

Complete TANAKH – 1985

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Title: TANAKH A New Translation of The Holy Scriptures According to the Traditional Hebrew Text
Date: 1985
Publisher: Philadelphia PA (U.S.A.): The Jewish Publication Society of America
Contents: Hebrew Bible
References: Chamberlin p. 124-4, Taliaferro-EELBV 8210.100.
Images: Jacket, Cover, Title page

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Title: Sacred Writings ❂ Edited by Jaroslav Pelikan.
1. Judaism: The Tanakh ▣ The New JPS Translation
Date: Text © 1985 by The Jewish Publication Society. Introduction © 1992 by Jaroslav Pelikan.
Publisher: New York N.Y. (U.S.A.): Quality Paperback Book Club
Contents: BH: Tanakh. Five pp Introduction by Jaroslav Pelikan. Glossary for the footnotes, Abbreviations & Terms (2 pp)
References:
Images: Cover, Series Title page, Tanakh Title page
Location: Collection Bibelarchiv-Birnbaum. Karlsruhe, Baden. Germany


Comments: Paperback octavo, XX & 1626 pp. Layout identical to the JPS 1985 edition: Scripture text in single column; paragraph- wise. Alternate readings, brief explanations and references in footnotes.
This paperback has a slighly smaller page size (21.4 cm) than the JPS standard ed. (22.7 cm)
Other titles in this series are:
2. Christianity: The Apocrypha and The New Testament [Revised English Bible (REB)]
3. Islam: The Qu´rān
4. Confucianism: The Anaclets of Confucius
5. Hinduism: The Rig Veda
6. Buddhism: The Dhammapada


The Book of Psalms – revised ed. 1997

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Title: The Book of Psalms ✡ ספר תהלים ❖ A New Translation According to the Traditional Hebrew Text

Date: © 1972. First Edition, second printing 1975. Revised edition with updated translation 1997
Publisher: Philadelphia PA (U.S.A.): The Jewish Publication Society JPS


Contents: Sefer Tehilim 1 to 150; Preface (2 pp); Meditations [for personal notes] (24 pp)
References:
Images: Cover, Title page
Location: Collection Bibelarchiv–Birnbaum, Karlsruhe/ Baden, Germany


Comments: Hardcover large octavo with dust jacket, sewn binding, VIII, 176 & (24 pp).
The committee of translators for the Ketubim comprises professors Moshe Greenberg, Jonas C. Greenfield, Nahum M. Sarna, Saul Leeman, Matin Rozenberg and David Shapiro; Dr. Chaim Potok, editior of the Society, served as secretary of the committee.

The preface writes: »This English rendering of Psalms, the committee´s first work, is a new version, not a revision of an earlier translation. It is based on the received (Masoretic) Hebrew text – its consonants, vowels, and syntactical divisions, although on occasion the traditional accentuation has been disregarded in favor of an alternative construction of a verse that appeared to yield a better sense. (…) Alternative readings have sometimes been offered where the Hebrew permits them. However, emendations of the text have not been proposed. The style of the translation is, on the whole, modern literary English.«

The Scripture text is set verse- wise, psalm–headings are translated; brief notations and cross references in the footnotes.


The Jewish Study Bible - 2004

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Title: The Jewish Study Bible ✡ JPS Tanakh Translation ❖ [By] Adele Berlin and Marc Zvi Brettler (Editors) / Michael Fishbane (Consulting Editor)
Date: © 2004 by Oxford Universitiy Press. / © 1985, 1999 by The Jewish Publication Society [for the] TANAKH translation
Publisher: New York N. Y. (U.S.A.): Oxford University Press
Contents: BH Tanakh: Torah ● Nevi'im ● Kethuvim. Maps and Diagrams (1 p); Introduction (4 pp); Preface to the 1985 JPS Edition (4 pp); Alphabetic Listing of the Books of the Bible, Hebrew Transliteration, Guide to Abbreviations and Terms (7 pp); Essays (277 pp); Weights & Measures, Timeline, Chronological Table of Rulers, Calendar etc. (15 pp); Translations of Primary Sources (2 pp); Glossary (21 pp); Index (42 pp); Maps (16 pp).
References:
Images: Cover, Title page
Location: Colllection Bibelarchiv-Birnbaum. Karlsruhe, Baden. Germany
Comments: Hardcover with sewn binding, DJ; XXV, 2182 & 16 pp. Scripture text in single column accompanied by numerous annotations, commentaries, alternate readings and cross references. The 1985 translation has been updated as can be seen by the © 1999.

The JPS Commentary is liberal and recognizes the narrative sources J, E, P and D within the Torah text. As regards to the DSS discoveries, the addition to e. g. 1 Sam 11 from the 4QSam a - scroll is mentioned (Nahash the Ammonite) and briefly narrated but not entirely translated. - One of the many Essays named "Modern Jewish Interpretation" written by S. David Sperling has a lot to say about Jewish and non- Jewish Bible translators / commentators and their impact on Jewish biblical scholarship.

The Contemporary Torah – 2006

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Title: The Contemporary Torah ✡ A Gender–Sensitive Adaptation of the JPS Translation ❖ Revising Editor / David E. S. Stein / Consulting Editors / Adele Berlin, Ellen Frankel, and Carol L. Meyers
Date: 2006 – 5766

Publisher: Philadelphia PA (U.S.A.): The Jewish Publication Society JPS
Contents: Torah: Genesis to Deuteronomy. Preface (31 pp); Preface to the 1962 ´Torah`Edition (4 pp); Scriptural Readings (2 pp); Guide to Notes (43 pp); Dictionary of Gender in the Torah (20 pp).
References:
Images: Cover, Title page
Location: Collection Bibelarchiv–Birnbaum, Karlsruhe/ Baden, Germany



Comments: Hardcover octavo with dust jacket, sewn binding, XLIV & 412 pp.
Scripture text in single column (identical to the 1962 ´Torah`); Haftoroth parts English and Hebrew. All notes and cross references to the text in the appendix.

Revising Editor David E. S. Stein signed the preface dated Rosh Chodesh of Siwan 5766 – May 28, 2006 and writes, »The present translation adapts the New Jewish Publication Society (NJPS) version only with respect to social gender« and supplies arguments in support of „The Need for a Gender–Sensitive Version.“

Etz Hayim ✡ עץ חיים: Torah and Commentary – 2001

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Title: Etz Hayim ✡ עץ חיים Torah and Commentary.
Senior Editor: David L. Lieber
Date: 2001, First edition. / Hebrew text: © 1999. English translation © 1985, 1999.
Publisher: New York, NY (U.S.A.): The Rabbinical Assembly. The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
Philadelphia PA (U.S.A.): The Jewish Publication Society [for the Scripture texts]
Contents: Torah (5 Books of Moses). Haftarot (Prophet Readings). Torah Readings for Holidays and other Special Days (120 pp.), Essays: Biblical Life and Perspectives; Biblical Religion and Law; Worship, Ritual, and Halakha; Text and Context (165 pp.) Useful information, Glossary, Bibliography & Index (20 pp). Foreword (1 p). Introduction (7 pp) Color Maps (7)
Language: Hebrew and English (for the Scripture texts)
References:
Images: Title page, Cover
Location: Collection Bibelarchiv - Birnbaum. Karlsruhe/ Baden, Germany
Comments: This annotated Torah 'Etz Hayim' ('Tree of Life') opens from the rear. Hardcover, large octavo, sewn binding, XXIV & 1560 pp. Texts in double column, Masora on right side. Extensive commentaries, cross references and study helps. All Torah and Haftara texts introduced.
List of contributors: Chaim Potok: Editor of P'shat Commentary, based on the Torah Commentary by Nahum M. Sarna, Baruch A. Levine, Jacob Milgrom and Jeffrey H. Tigay. Editor of D'rash Commentary: Harold Kushner. Literary Editor: Jules Harlow. Editors of Halkhah l' Ma ̇aseh: Elliot Dorff and Susan Grossman. Author of the Haftarah Commentary: Michael Fishbane. - Ismar Schorsch wrote the Foreword in May 2000 / Nisan 5760, David L. Lieber and Irwin Groner added the informative introduction March 2001 / Adar 5761.

Songs of the Heart (Nahum M. Sarna) - 1993

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Title: Songs of the Heart ✡ An Introduction to the Book of Psalms by Nahum M. Sarna
Date: © 1993 by Nahum M. Sarna. First Edition. — © 1985 (for the Biblical texts)
Publisher: New York NY (U.S.A.): Schocken Books.
Philadelphia PA (U.S.A.): The Jewish Publication Society (For the Scripture texts)
Contents: Translation and Introduction to Psalms 1 - 8 - 15 - 19 - 24 - 30 - 48 - 82 - 93 - 94. Preface; Introduction; Afterword; Abbreviations; Notes; General Index; Biblical Reference Index. About the Author.
References:
Images: Cover, Title page
Location: Collection Bibelarchiv–Birnbaum. Karlsruhe/ Baden, Germany
Comments: Hardcover octavo with DJ; sewn binding. X & 300 pp.
In the preface Sarna points out: "In 1966 I was invited to join a committee of translators then being formed by the Jewish Publication Society to preoduce a new translation in modern English of the Ketuvim, the Hagiographa, the third section of the Hebrew Bible.(…) This endeavor was part of the ongoing translation project started in 1955. Our initial efforts were concentrated on the Book of Psalms, and the fruits of our labors were published in 1972. (…) [For this book] I am most grateful to the Jewish Publication Society for permission to make use of its new translation of the Book of Psalms. Occasionally, however, I have departed from it. (…)"
Sarna introduces the Tehillim in various aspects within 20 pages. He dedicates 180 pp to the commentary of the ten Psalms he presents. The afterword contains 3 pp, further 50 pp he spends on "Notes" on the commentary. The bibliography is shared on 15 pages. Two copious indexes complement this work; a brief vita of N. M. Sarna concludes the book.

Gallery of Various Editions

➊ Devoid of DJ, from left: Jeremiah 1973 ✡ Isaiah 1972 ✡ Job 1980 ✡ Jewish Study Bible 2004 ✡ Psalms 1972 ✡ Psalms 1997 ✡ Contemporary Torah 2006 ✡ Five Megilloth and Jonah 1969. ➋ Three versions of "Tanakh" > from left: Regular Ed. ✡ Jewish Sacred Writings ✡ Pocket Ed. ➌ Two "Genesis" separate prints, from left: 1958 and 1966 Edition. ❹ JPS–Tenakh volumes: from right: Torah, 1st ed., 1962 (with achromatic JPS–logo on spine), Torah, 2nd ed., 1967, Prophets 1978, Writings 1982, Torah, 3rd ed., 1992


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