The Kosher Bookworm: Two legacies worthy of your attention

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The Kosher Bookworm

By Alan Jay Gerber

Issue of October 30 2009/ 12 Cheshvan 5770

Just when I thought that all that had to be recorded on Sefer Bereishit was now safely behind us, along comes two new works that will surely help our people better understand this most fascinating book of our sacred writ.

Let it be said right at the outset, both authors under review this week are long-time veteran authors and teachers. Truth be told, not since the untimely passing of my good friend, Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, of blessed memory, has American Jewry witnessed two such prolific writers.

Rabbi Zechariah Fendel is the author of no less than 19 major works in English. His works encompass Jewish history in detail, including  narratives, dating charts, graphs, and timelines that help assist our people, both young and old, to better comprehend our people’s historical legacy. Other works by Rabbi Fendel include biographies of our rabbinic greats and in-depth analysis into Halachic traditions and mussar as well as discussions of the Holocaust. Rabbi Fendel has also given all of the major and minor Jewish holidays their due with individual volumes dedicated to them that discuss the holidays significance in both history and Halacha.

Rabbi Fendel’s latest book is titled, “Reflections on the Parsha” [Hashkafah Publications, 2009], and deals with Sefer Bereishit. Organized into fourteen chapters, each chapter takes a particular facet of the biblical narrative in sequence to the original text.

As with his prior works, Rabbi Fendel goes into great detail on each topic. Topics in this volume include: creation, Shabbos, chesed and creation, man as the handiwork of creation, the flood saga, Noach, and the Tower of Babel episode.

The patriarchs and matriarchs beginning with Avraham and Sarah are given extensive treatment. All their struggles and conflicts as well as their accomplishments as our forefathers are detailed with narratives that include midrash and aggadita as well as historical detail.

Anyone familiar with Rabbi Fendel’s “method” will see this work as a continuation of that which has come before. Those new to Rabbi Fendel’s writings will quickly come to appreciate this work for what it is, a thorough and detailed treatment, long overdue, of the first book of the Chumash.

Long overdue is hardly the word that one can use to describe Rabbi Avraham Davis’ editorship of a new translation of the classical Bible commentary, Sifsei Chachomim. This commentary has never before been given an English translation. Now, through Rabbi Davis’ efforts and the work of his associates, we have one, titled Sifsei Chachomim, Sefer Bereishith [Metsudah Publications, 2009, 2 volumes].

This new edition of the Chumash includes, in traditional page design, the complete Hebrew texts of the Targum Onkelos, Rashi, and the Sifsei Chachomim. Rabbi Davis’s famed English translation of the Chumash graces the page with Targum interpolations in italics, and the entire Rashi and Sifsei Chachomim translated.

Another novel feature found in this work is a section called Yalkut, where selections from the classic commentaries of the Rishonim and Achronim can be found. These commentaries enhance both Rashi and the Sifsei Chachomim

The extremely attractive and dignified cover was the work of Nochum Kornfeld of Monsey. His graphic skills are deeply appreciated by this writer.

Rabbi Davis’ legacy as a gifted talmid chacham, liturgist, and wordsmith can be seen in the works he has translated, works that include siddurim and machzorim of both nusachim, Chumash and Rashi, the entire Book of the Kuzari, Pirkei Avot, The Book of  Psalms, Midrash Tanchumah, and the Kav Veyashar.

Rabbi Avraham Davis is a giant who has lived among us in Far Rockaway for many years. Despite  his greatness, Rabbi Davis is a simple, humble man, unassuming in his ways both among us and among his fellow rabbonim. He will soon be moving to Eretz Yisrael.

Our loss will be Israel’s gain. I do trust and pray that the people of Israel will come to appreciate his presence among them. He will be a natural fit in our Holy Land and a major contribution to the moral tone so needed by our beleaguered people.

Your patronage of both Rabbi Fendel’s and Rabbi Davis’ works will surely help enhance you in every manner, both spiritual and personal.