The Alshich | Alshich on the Torah

Alshich on the Torah - Sefer Bereishis

OVERVIEW To a great extent, the episodes and stories of Bereishis are obscure and puzzling; they cry out for meaning and direction requiring serious study. Every chapter, every verse, every word can be explained in numerous ways. Moreover, such multi-level interpretation is not restricted to the Torah’s halachic and ethical passages. Even the seemingly simple historical narratives about the lives of the Avos are replete with hidden layers of meaning.

In his brilliant analysis of Bereishis, the Alshich uses every available method of understanding the Torah. His unique commentary sheds light on even its most cryptic passages. The Alshich poses questions that perplex the intelligent reader of the Torah and then offers in-depth analyses and original interpretations of the text. Time and again, he points out how seemingly haphazard sentence structures or elaborate figures of speech are rife with nuances that are actually pivotal to understanding the verses in which they appear. The Alshich’s explanations demonstrate the unmistakable Divine nature of the Written Torah and show us how the Oral Torah and its teachings are implicit in the wording of the Torah itself.

THIS EDITION Although the Alshich leaves no question unanswered, his response typically addresses all the difficulties he has raised simultaneously. He does not point out to which question a particular part of his interpretation refers. To make his thoughts more accessible, the editors of this English edition enumerate where, and show how, each question is answered and — more importantly — explain the Alshich’s methodology in arriving at his conclusions.

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Samples

Sample 1

Introduction - Introduction to the Alshich Torah Commentary Introduction to the Alshich Torah Commentary

Sample 2

Parshas Bereishis - G-d looked into the Torah and created the world G-d looked into the Torah and created the world

Sample 3

Parshas Bereishis - The Ten Divine Utterances with which God created the world The Ten Divine Utterances with which God created the world

Sample 4

Parshas Bereishis - G-d created everything on the first day G-d created everything on the first day

Sample 5

Parshas Noach - How Righteous Was Noach? How Righteous Was Noach?

Sample 6

Parshas Noach - In what merit were Noach’s sons saved from the Flood? In what merit were Noach’s sons saved from the Flood?

Sample 7

Parshas Noach - The animals and the start of the Flood The animals and the start of the Flood

Sample 8

Parshas Noach - The Difference between life inside and outside of the land of Israel The Difference between life inside and outside of the land of Israel

Sample 9

Parshas Lech Lecho - G-d’s Blessing to Avram G-d’s Blessing to Avram

Sample 10

Parshas Lech Lecha - Avram receives two gifts Avram receives two gifts

Sample 11

Parshas Vayeira - Becoming a new person through bris Milah Becoming a new person through bris Milah

Sample 12

Parshas Vayeira - Avraham’s elevation and his three guests Avraham’s elevation and his three guests

Sample 13

Parshas Vayeira - Avaham feeds his guests Avaham feeds his guests

Sample 14

Parshas Chayei Sarah - Avraham mourns the loss of Sarah Avraham mourns the loss of Sarah

Sample 15

Parshas Chayei Sarah - Buying a burial plot for Sarah Buying a burial plot for Sarah

Sample 16

Parshas Chayei Sarah - Avraham instructs Eliezer to find a wife for Yitzchok Avraham instructs Eliezer to find a wife for Yitzchok

Sample 17

Parshas Toldos - The purification of Yitzchok’s offspring The purification of Yitzchok’s offspring

Sample 18

Parshas Toldos - The battle between Esav and Yaakov begins in the womb The battle between Esav and Yaakov begins in the womb

Sample 19

Parshas Toldos - The birth of Yaakov and Esav The birth of Yaakov and Esav

Sample 20

Parshas Vayeitzi - The whole world exists for the sake of Yaakov The whole world exists for the sake of Yaakov

Sample 21

Parshas Vayeitzi - Yaakov Makes a vow to G-d Yaakov Makes a vow to G-d

Sample 22

Parshas Vayeitzi - Yaakov meets Rachel at the well Yaakov meets Rachel at the well

Sample 23

Parshas Vayishlach - The hidden meaning of Yaakov’s message to Esav The hidden meaning of Yaakov’s message to Esav

Sample 24

Parshas Vayishlach - Yaakov prepares to defend himself from Esav Yaakov prepares to defend himself from Esav

Sample 25

Parshas Vayishlach - Yaakov sends gifts to try to appease Esav Yaakov sends gifts to try to appease Esav

Sample 26

Parshas Vayeishev - Yaakov is not allowed to dwell in Tranquillity Yaakov is not allowed to dwell in Tranquillity

Sample 27

Parshas Vayeishev - Why the brothers hated Yosef Why the brothers hated Yosef

Sample 28

Parshas Vayeishev - The meaning of Yosef’s dreams The meaning of Yosef’s dreams

Sample 29

Parshas Mikeitz - Yosef’s two extra years in Prison Yosef’s two extra years in Prison

Sample 30

Parshas Mikeitz - The Torah account of the dreams compared to Pharaohs account The Torah account of the dreams compared to Pharaohs account

Sample 31

Parshas Mikeitz - Yosef begins to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams Yosef begins to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams

Sample 32

Parshas Vayigash - Yehudah’s first approach to the Viceroy Yehudah’s first approach to the Viceroy

Sample 33

Parshas Vayigash - Yehudah accuses the Viceroy Yehudah accuses the Viceroy

Sample 34

Parshas Vayigash - Yehuda describes Yaakov’s reaction to Yosef’s accusations Yehuda describes Yaakov’s reaction to Yosef’s accusations

Sample 35

Parshas Yayechi - Yaakov’s life in Mitzrayim Yaakov’s life in Mitzrayim

Sample 36

Parshas Yayechi - Yaakov considers Yosef’s children as his own sons Yaakov considers Yosef’s children as his own sons

Sample 37

Parshas Yayechi - Yaakov blesses Yosef’s sons Yaakov blesses Yosef’s sons

Sample 38

Appendix - The Masorah The Masorah

What Other People Think About This Book

Please find below some reviews about our books:

"Having read a substantial portion of the book, I can see how much effort has been put into it. The authors have done a great job of condensing the vast material that the Alshich has written on each sedra without compromising on the Alshich’s overall approach to a particular piece. These books will open the reader's eyes to an original approach on each sedra, one which I have found appealing and enjoyable to read." Jeremy Phillips, Israel.

"I have been studying the Alshich on the weekly Parsha for over 30 years. This new book has allowed me to gain greater access and clarity to a commentary that really should be learnt by more people. In it one finds questions that other commentators have not commented on and often an approach that only he develops. I personally think that if you want a book that is rigorous and stimulating in the approach to the weekly Parsha, this is it." Neville Romer, London

"I have followed the Alshich series since its inception and have always found these books enlightening to read. The way he weaves together a range of ideas, culled and based on earlier sources, to form a unified approach to his explanations is quite unique. I look forward to the publication of the next book in the series." Michael Singer, Australia.

Alshich on the Torah - Sefer Bereishis

Alshich on the Torah - Sefer Bereishis

Sample Extracts

What Other People Think About This Book

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