Wednesday 11 July 2012

Basic Rabbinic Literacy - 1 Tanach

Originally, it seems that the ideal was to learn Tanach straight, probably with Targum.

Eventually, Jewish Ed [at least in Ashkenaz] pushed Humash and Rashi in lieu of covering all Tanach. There are many trade-offs of course. To go wide on Tanach, vs. to know Humash with a sampling of Midrashim hand-picked by Rashi himself from Talmud and Midrash?

Here's where I'd start, with that portion of Tanach in the Liturgical cycle

Namely
A. Humash
B Haftarot
C M'gillot
D. Selections from T'hillim - especially those that appear in the siddur and Mach'zor

This covers nearly 50% of Tanach using its most familiar passages.

But, which commentary? There are so many to choose from, here are a few suggestions

A. Rashi [of course]
B. Artscroll
C. Living Torah [R Aryeh Kaplan
D. Soncino Humash
E. Hertz Humash

Soncino Nach is really Helpful for B'qiut in Nach. Also the M'tzudos are useful.

Philip Birnbaum has a nice edition of the 5 M'gillot. Artscroll also has a nice version of M'gillot as well as several editions of T'hillim.

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For more B'qiut in Talmud, I would recommend Torah T'mimah on Humash and M'gillot.

I've heard that Hakk'sav v'Hakkabalah is also very good. Malbim adds the Midrashei Tannaim to the mix.

Shalom and Regards,
RRW

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