Tanakh

This wasn’t what I was expecting. I was looking for a Hebrew / English Bible. This is the Old and New Testament not what I thought it would be. I’ve never been so confused by the description and reviews. Too bad I can’t return it.

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This is a good quality version of the Tanakh; I love the copy I received but it did not match the photo and description provided when I was purchasing it. Other than that, this Tanakh is easy to read, well formatted, and in good shape.

Tanakh is the basic source of reference for Torah Jewry. Every issue is discussed and solved according to the first five books, in other words, The Books of Law or The Law of Moses. Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 contain The Ten Commandments, which is the greatest gift ever granted to humankind by The L-RD All-Powerful G-d of Israel to lead them into the light out of darkness. All Glory and Strength be to The L-RD All-Powerful G-d of Israel The S-vereign to whom All Sovereignty belongs, for providing the humankind with The Ten Commandments and Tanakh. May The L-RD let us be deserving of this illuminating scriptures ...

I bought the Tanakh solely because it was the version required for an Old Testament class at a Christian Seminary I attend. I didn't know what to expect initially, because I had never heard of it before.I must say I really enjoy the translation. It is the first time since the translation of the LXX that a large group of Jewish scholars have come together to translate the Jewish sacred texts. It was nice to read a Bible that was free of Christian influence, even though I am a Christian in faith. The translation is based on the traditional Masoretic text, but it uses the LXX and the Dead Sea scrolls when the Masoretic text is obscure. There are also scriptural readings for various feasts and holy days.Overall, I find the translation readable and scholarly. As a Christian, I always have more "Christianized" versions around too, such as the RSV, REB, and NRSV, but it is important to have other scholarly translational perspectives as well. I do wish there would have been maps and some commentary included in the hardcover...perhaps in a future edition.As a side note, the paperback version has a few typos in the text that the hardback lacks.

The Tanakh is a thoroughly researched and readable volume. It was refreshing to read the bible stories I grew up with in an accurate translation for adults, rather than as a pre-digested group of children's stories. Moreover, it was wonderful to read a first generation translation from the original Hebrew, rather than a rewrite of an old English translation. Additionally, one of the many benefits is that JPS chose to include, not only its own translation, but footnotes that refer to the translations of others, allowing the reader to identify and understand the differences. Its prose is modern and clear. This is a translation that will last long into the 21st century.

I just finished reading Tanakh cover to cover. As a Muslim reader of the Jewish Scriptures I feel enriched in a unique way. The Muslim Holy Book, the Qur'an, refers extensively and repeatedly to the Covenant God made with the Children of Israel. And even though I had read and heard about this for as long as I can remember, I think I have gained a much deeper insight and understanding than ever before, a perspective I am not sure I could have availed of elsewhere. Oh yes, I had read (actually *tried* to read) other translations of the Old Testament prior to reading Tanakh. This lucid translation helped me achieve what six years of Jesuit schooling and a decade old interest in comparative religion could not! It may be difficult to believe, but reading Tanakh will actually help me understand some fine points in the Qur'an even better. I would recommend it to all Muslims, particularly those living in the West, and perhaps to all people, as an essential part of one's education in life. Thanks to grandma for letting me borrow her copy, and thanks to our friends at Temple Beth Shalom for the bautiful gift. Just a note to Al Herary - Al, I am buying my own copy! :-) --Suhail Farooqui