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The Book of Psalms - Sefer Tehillim
Tehillim, psalms, a new translation by Rabbi Eli Cashdan, with commentaries by Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb.
- GenresJudaica
Paperback
First published June 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
November 24, 2025
This book is so deeply consequential to human history in so many important ways. The authors of Psalms is David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, and a few others. This translation is by Rabbi Cashdan with commentary by Rabbi Weinreb.
First, about Psalms generally. David held a place that very, very few have held in human history. He was 1. a shepherd of humble beginnings, 2. a warrior thrust into fame, 3. a fugitive of his father-in-law Saul, 4. a King, 5. a repentant, 6. a man of great loss, and, astoundingly, 7. a man devoted to God and the Torah the entire* time. Hardly a soul can stand to compete with the Psalms in terms of writing prayer for this simple reason: they do not occupy all these positions at once as David did. There is such a depth of emotion in David's life, from the fear for his life as a hunted man to the deaths of his sons. He consecrates all his emotions into the exaltation of God in a way that naturally rattles the soul from its sleep.
Second, about the translator: to put it simply, Rabbi Cashdan made the Psalms understandable in a way to me that no other translation has ever done. There had always been hiccups here and there while reading the Psalms, maybe a line or two I didn't understand, but this translation just made it all clear to me.
Third, about the commentator: Rabbi Weinreb at times talks directly about the texts or different ways of translating, at times discusses human emotion, at times a tangential story in theme with the Psalm, and even still perhaps a moral teaching from the Talmud. In every instance, when I found myself beginning to drone Psalms on auto, his commentary brought the flavor back out of the text. I would read, then read commentary, then re-read with added understanding and appreciation.
Personally, this book was with me in the cold of West Texas as a cherished relationship fell apart. David's perspective on life made that section of life more bearable. His words I was able to recite from my own soul and experiences, turning even agony into an act of worship. I am terribly grateful for this book for being with me during that time in my life.
My personal go-to's for recitation are Psalms 25, 71, 86, 116, and 145 if you need a place to start.
First, about Psalms generally. David held a place that very, very few have held in human history. He was 1. a shepherd of humble beginnings, 2. a warrior thrust into fame, 3. a fugitive of his father-in-law Saul, 4. a King, 5. a repentant, 6. a man of great loss, and, astoundingly, 7. a man devoted to God and the Torah the entire* time. Hardly a soul can stand to compete with the Psalms in terms of writing prayer for this simple reason: they do not occupy all these positions at once as David did. There is such a depth of emotion in David's life, from the fear for his life as a hunted man to the deaths of his sons. He consecrates all his emotions into the exaltation of God in a way that naturally rattles the soul from its sleep.
Second, about the translator: to put it simply, Rabbi Cashdan made the Psalms understandable in a way to me that no other translation has ever done. There had always been hiccups here and there while reading the Psalms, maybe a line or two I didn't understand, but this translation just made it all clear to me.
Third, about the commentator: Rabbi Weinreb at times talks directly about the texts or different ways of translating, at times discusses human emotion, at times a tangential story in theme with the Psalm, and even still perhaps a moral teaching from the Talmud. In every instance, when I found myself beginning to drone Psalms on auto, his commentary brought the flavor back out of the text. I would read, then read commentary, then re-read with added understanding and appreciation.
Personally, this book was with me in the cold of West Texas as a cherished relationship fell apart. David's perspective on life made that section of life more bearable. His words I was able to recite from my own soul and experiences, turning even agony into an act of worship. I am terribly grateful for this book for being with me during that time in my life.
My personal go-to's for recitation are Psalms 25, 71, 86, 116, and 145 if you need a place to start.
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