 |
||||||
|
HOME |
Courses |
|
|
|
|
|
HOME
Courses
Session Nine
Food for the Journey
THE SIDDUR ArtScroll Siddur, Nusach Sefard (available hardcover or softcover,
different sizes.) The translation is so-so and the mindset behind
the commentary and the choice of texts is narrow, but the layout
is clear and there is a lot of material, almost all translated.
"Nusach Sefard" is the Hasidic version of the prayerbook, used
in most traditional shuls in Toronto, with lots of poetic and
mystical stuff. MIDRASH Hammer on the Rock: A Short Midrash Reader by Nahum Glatzer. New York: Schocken, 1952. A beautiful, short
compilation of Midrash Aggadah. The Book of Legends (Sefer Ha-Aggadah) by Hayim Nahman Bialik and Yehoshua Ravitsky, translated by William
G. Braude. New York: Schocken, 1992. A big, expensive, very good
thematic compilation of Aggadah, sayings and stories. The original
Hebrew version is a classic of Israeli literature. CHUMASH WITH RASHI The Metsudah Chumash-Rashi. Hoboken, New Jersey: Ktav, 1983 (5 volumes). Pretty good linear
translation (Hebrew and English side by side). Genesis: The Beginnings of Desire by Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication
Society, 1995. To bring out the depths of Rashi, his commentary
needs to be read with intuition and creativity as well as knowledge,
as Zornberg does beautifully. Ramban, Commentary on the Torah translated by Charles B. Chavel. New York: Shilo, 1971-1976,
five volumes. One of the greatest Biblical commentators, Ramban
(Nachmanides) often takes Rashi's commentary as his starting point.
His commentary is actually easier to read than Rashi's, because
it's not so concise. GEMARA It's practically impossible to learn Gemara without a teacher.
Look for a class that focuses on how the Talmud works, not just
on interesting content. In addition to Kolel courses, if you are
in Toronto, I most highly recommend Professor Tirzah Meacham (University
of Toronto) and Rabbi Michael Skobac (who can be contacted at
Jews for Judaism) among Talmud teachers in Toronto. If a chance
to learn Gemara with either of them presents itself, jump at the
chance! KABBALAH Zohar: The Book of Enlightenment translated by Daniel Chanan Matt. New York: Paulist Press [!],
1983. Highly recommended short compilation of selections from
the Zohar. The translation is poetic and the commentary is clear.
The translator, Daniel Matt, is rumoured to be working on a complete
English version of the Zohar. If this ever appears it will be
a must-have book. The Palm Tree of Devorah by Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, translated by Moshe Miller. Jerusalem:
Targum/Feldheim, 1993. Hebrew/English edition of a beautiful,
short work of Kabbalistic ethics, showing how our ethical attitudes
and actions relate to the Sefirot and make us like God. (Also
available in English only, in a more scholarly translation by
Louis Jacobs.) BAAL SHEM TOV Founder of Hasidism: A Quest for the Historical Baal Shem Tov by Moshe Rosman. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1996.
A careful, original look at what we really know about the Baal
Shem Tov. The following two books are the best volumes available
of stories (and some teachings) of the Baal Shem Tov and other
Rebbes: Generation to Generation: Personal Recollections of a Chassidic
Legacy by Abraham J. Twerski. Brooklyn: Traditional Press, 1989. Shlomo's Stories by Shlomo Carlebach, edited by Susan Yael Misinai. Northvale,
New Jersey: Jason Aronson. YIDDISH RADICALISM The I.L. Peretz Reader edited by Ruth R. Wisse. New York: Schocken/Pantheon, 1990. Good
English versions of stories by one of the greatest progressive
Yiddish authors. Found Treasures: Stories by Yiddish Women Writers edited by Frieda Forman and others. Toronto: Second Story Press,
1994. A ground-breaking presentation of women's contributions
to secular Yiddish literature. Mir Trogn a Gezang: The New Book of Yiddish Song, Pearls of Yiddish
Song, Songs of Generations: New Pearls of Yiddish Song All by Eleanor Mlotek and (except the first one) Joseph Mlotek.
New York: Workmen's Circle. If you like to sing in Yiddish you
should have one or more of these books. HASIDIC TEACHINGS Spiritual Intimacy: A Study of Counselling in Hasidism by Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. Northvale, New Jersey: Jason Aronson,
1991. An in-depth study of what it would mean to be a Hasidic
Rebbe. The Way of Man according to the teachings of Hasidism by Martin Buber. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1950. Buber
was the leading teacher of our times who drew on Hasidic teachings
as a resource for non-Orthodox Jews. The Melodies of My Father's House by Simcha Raz. A sweet, very brief collection of Hasidic sayings.