The Everyday Torah: Weekly Reflections and Inspirations

by Bradley Shavit Artson

“Like any classic, the Torah appears in different guises with each rereading. Its infinite layers of meaning and depth offer the opportunity to harvest anew, without any fear of exhausting its supply of wisdom, counsel, and kedushah (holiness). To encounter Torah is to encounter God.”
--from the Introduction In this inspiring collection, Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson illuminates the sacred text at the heart of Jewish spirituality. Enlightening and original, The Everyday Torah brings the ancient text to life with poignant reflections that will guide to you to a deeper understanding of the Torah, of Judaism, of yourself. "Torah goes its weekly way, and we go ours, and do the two paths ever cross? They cross often in many minds and hearts, but when it is Bradley Shavit Artson who provides their point of intersection, the crossroads widens into a town square."
--Jack Miles, author of God: A Biography "Every page is a joy to read. Many, many readers will treasure this book."
--Richard Elliott Friedman, author of Commentary on the Torah and Who Wrote the Bible? "Rabbi Bradley Artson remains one of the most inviting of modern day teachers of Torah. This book will offer needed guidance and inspiration to all who turn its pages."
--Rabbi David Ellenson, Ph.D., president of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion

Genres: Judaism, Spirituality, Religion, Judaica

384 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2008

Reviews

[Myev]

I enjoyed reading this as part of my shabbat readings. It's basically a brief little essay on each parashah. It is a little fluffy at times, no really heady stuff here. But still, a lovely compliment to Torah study.

[Joelle]

I appreciate the short nature of the entries so that eats easy to read a little Torah every day. One spoiler for LGBT people and their allies- In Deuteronomy he uses the word transvetite.

[Ari]

I liked this one better than the author's similar work 'The Bedside Torah' (there's a bit of overlap, but the two are different enough that you should read both), which I ready just about a year ago exactly. I think in part it may be because I've spent more time with him and am able to hear bits of his voice through the writing. This one is good for beginners, and holds a number of levels of reflection. It's worth revisiting as well for those who have been studying Torah for years. Recommended.

[Shelby]

From time to time, my husband and I re-read this as it gets you thinking outside the box about the various Torah portions. It is an evocative, thought-provoking, and quickly understood read. I highly recommend to anyone that is beginning their Torah study. However, I would use this text in conjunction with regular study rather than instead of.

[Kilian Metcalf]

A thought-provoking reflection on each of the Torah portions. It is an uneven collection, and I think I will like it better with rereading. It's not a book that gives up all its secrets on one reading.