Nominated for the Sophie Brody Medal, by the American Library Association to the author of the most distinguished contribution to Jewish literature published in the United States. In Jewish practice, the first five books of the Bible, referred to as the Torah, are divided into 54 weekly portions. The central element of the Sabbath service in the synagogue is the public chanting of the appropriate Torah portion for the week. Torah and Commentary: The Five Books of Moses by Sol Scharfstein is a new, highly readable translation of the Torah, Judaism s most sacred text, and is accompanied by interpretations of over 2,000 biblical passages. The interpretations are by classical and contemporary rabbinic commentators, and the translation and commentaries are presented in easy-to-read language. The commentaries cover religious practices, history, theology, laws, customs, and ethical concepts. The volume is beautifully illustrated in color and provides background material about the Torah s place in Judaism, and the various ritual practices related to the Torah and Sabbath services. Also included and illustrated in color are biographical sketches of the most highly regarded biblical commentators, such as Rashi, Maimonides, and others. Sol Scharfstein s own comments relate to the contemporary message of the biblical passages. Torah and Commentary introduces individuals of all faiths to an encounter with the Jewish understanding of the Bible, the spiritual foundation shared in common by all the great monotheistic faiths. The first five books of the Hebrew Bible Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy are known as the Torah, a word meaning instruction, teaching, or guidance. The books are divided into 54 weekly portions and read in synagogues on Sabbaths, festivals, and fast days as well as on ordinary Mondays and Thursdays. Scharfstein s translation is accompanied by interpretations of more than 2,000 passages by classical and contemporary rabbinic commentators. These commentaries include such subjects as religious practices, history, theology, laws, customs, and ethical concepts. The book also offers background data regarding the Torah s place in Judaism and the ritual practices related to the Torah and Sabbath services. There are biographical sketches of such biblical commentators as Rashi, Maimonides, and the Baal Shem Tov. Scharfstein, the author of more than 75 books in Hebrew and English, offers a highly relevant and comprehensive guide to a complex subject. --The Booklist From Library Journal, August 15, 2008 Prolific author Scharfstein s The Five Books of Moses: An Easy-To-Read Torah Translation (2005) was recently recommended by LJ for Hebrew school and family use, largely because of its clear and simple language and accessibility. Here, Scharfstein has taken his Torah translation, revised and updated his (full color) illustrations and introduction (which covers, e.g., Torah history and scholarship, holidays, and ceremonies), and added commentaries by classical and contemporary rabbinic commentators to over 2000 biblical passages. Although not all of the commentaries are attributed, all are easy to understand and help clarify this complex yet central text for readers from Young Adults to Adults. Recommended for public and Hebrew school libraries-even those that own the 2005 translation-for its wealth of commentary; also recommended for interested families who did not purchase the previous text. --Library Journal From Library Journal, August 15, 2008 Prolific author Scharfstein s The Five Books of Moses: An Easy-To-Read Torah Translation (2005) was recently recommended by LJ for Hebrew school and family use, largely because of its clear and simple language and accessibility. Here, Scharfstein has taken his Torah translation, revised and updated his (full color) illustrations and introduction (which covers, e.g., Torah history and scholarship, holidays, and ceremonies), and added commentaries by classical and contemporary rabbinic commentators to over 2000 biblical passages. Although not all of the commentaries are attributed, all are easy to understand and help clarify this complex yet central text for readers from Young Adults to Adults. Recommended for public and Hebrew school libraries-even those that own the 2005 translation-for its wealth of commentary; also recommended for interested families who did not purchase the previous text. --Library Journal Sol Scharfstein, in addition to Torah and Commentary, has written more that seventy-five books in Hebrew and English, among which, are The Five Books of Moses: An Easy-to-Read Torah Translation, The Book of Haftarot for Shabbat, Festivals, and Fast Days; Chronicles of Jewish History; Understanding Jewish Holidays and Customs; The Story Hagadah; Understanding Israel; A Reading and Prayer Primer, and much more. In addition he has authored numerous children s books and designed educational devices, which are used in preschool programs. Mr. Scha