Genesis: The Traditional Hebrew Text With the New Jps Translation (JPS Torah Commentary) Hardcover – 1 Aug. 2001

Our ecumenical Christian Bible Study Group used this commentary to give us a fresh slant on our study of Genesis. As minister it stretched my understanding of the text, and the Group found insights drawn from it to be both exciting and thought provoking. In particular, the insights surrounding the creation accounts lifted discussion out of the usual sterile debates and brought us to a fresh understanding of what it means to call God a 'Creator'.

Good. Nice job of summarizing possible arguments, but then subtly offers his own conclusions. Leaves a bit of room for more detailed observations and theological implications.

Bought this from AI Trades, good vendor who made sure my book was well packaged and wrapped so even when left in the rain, the package was completely dry.Great read with valuable information about Genesis. Has the hebrew from the Leningrad Codex and is commented on by one of the smartest Rabbi i’ve ever read from.

Book is scholarly tome

I bought this as I prepare a Bible study each week. I have at least 10 other commentaries on Bre'sheet [Genesis], this one by Nahum Sarna ranks right at the top.It is well written, dipping from time to time into the Talmud and Targums, but not overly so.Sarna gives very clear explanations of words and phrases, from a Jewish perspective.It is easy for the Lay-person to understand, not being bugged down with to much theological language.I can confidently recommend this commentary.My only criticism would be, that now I definitely want the others in the series.

As a Christian, I am most appreciative of my Jewish brethren and the scholarship they bring to the Torah. They provide insight that I, perhaps, would not get from other commentaries. This particular commentary is formatted to my liking. The commentary is precise and concise and relevant to the text. I plan on procuring the other four books of this set. Now, the only thing lacking is that I learn Hebrew so that I can appreciate it that much more.

Dr. Nahum Sarna’s commentary on Genesis/Bereishit is superb! I’m awestruck by detailed knowledge he brings to the text including not just historical but literary analysis and insight. While I don’t reject “source criticism,” it is not as useful to me in my search for meaning in the text as other tools. Dr. Sarna’s literary analysis respects the Torah as a whole unit, the product of a unified consciousness, as I like to say. It is the only commentary I have ever used that I found so satisfying for understanding not just single stories or atomized verses but the whole Torah story.