Samuel David Luzzatto (1800-1865), known by his Hebrew acronym Shadal, was the leading Italian Jewish scholar of the 19th century. A linguist, educator, and religious thinker, he devoted his talents above all to the interpretation of the Bible. As a master of Hebrew grammar and usage, he focused on the plain meaning of the text. Although he was a devout believer in the divinity, unity, and antiquity of the Torah, Shadal approached the text in a remarkably free spirit of inquiry, drawing upon a wide variety of sources, ancient and contemporary, Jewish and non-Jewish. As a result, his interpretations may strike even the modern reader as fresh and novel.
Samuel David Luzzatto (1800-1865), known by his Hebrew acronym Shadal, was the leading Italian Jewish scholar of the 19th century. A linguist, educator, and religious thinker, he devoted his talents above all to the interpretation of the Bible. As a master of Hebrew grammar and usage, he focused on the plain meaning of the text. Although he was a devout believer in the divinity, unity, and antiquity of the Torah, Shadal approached the text in a remarkably free spirit of inquiry, drawing upon a wide variety of sources, ancient and contemporary, Jewish and non-Jewish. As a result, his interpretations may strike even the modern reader as fresh and novel. Among the highlights of Shadal's Leviticus (Vayikra) commentary are his discussions of the sacrificial system, the concept of purity and impurity, and the list of illicit relationships. In each case, he reveals how these ancient laws were meant to further one particular purpose: social utility and cohesion. Also noteworthy are his theories of how the words "Jubilee" and "Azazel" were repurposed from pagan origins. As always, Shadal's interpretive approach simply makes sense, and makes sense simply. Shadal's treatment of Leviticus, as well as the other books of the Torah, consisted of his Italian translation of the text and his Hebrew-language commentary. Here, for the first time, is an all-English version of both the text translation and the unabridged commentary, the first complete edition of Shadal's Leviticus since its original publication in 1874. The translator-editor has supplied copious explanatory notes and a list identifying the sources cited.
Samuel David Luzzatto (1800-1865), known by his Hebrew acronym Shadal, was the leading Italian Jewish scholar of the 19th century. A linguist, educator, and religious thinker, he devoted his talents above all to the interpretation of the Bible. As a master of Hebrew grammar and usage, he focused on the plain meaning of the text. Although he was a devout believer in the divinity, unity, and antiquity of the Torah, Shadal approached the text in a remarkably free spirit of inquiry, drawing upon a wide variety of sources, ancient and contemporary, Jewish and non-Jewish. As a result, his interpretations may strike even the modern reader as fresh and novel. Among the highlights of Shadal's Exodus (Shemot) commentary are his view of the Ten Plagues as nature-based phenomena that nevertheless contained supranatural qualities, his discerning literary analysis of the Song of the Sea, and his daring willingness--despite his acceptance of rabbinic halakhah in practice--to look behind the Rabbis' interpretation of the book's legal sections and examine their literal meanings. Shadal's treatment of Exodus, as well as the other books of the Torah, consisted of his Italian translation of the text and his Hebrew-language commentary. Here, for the first time, is an all-English version of both the text translation and the unabridged commentary, the first complete edition of Shadal's Exodus since its original publication in 1872. The translator-editor has supplied explanatory notes and a list identifying the sources cited.
First published in 1836, Prolegomeni ad una grammatica ragionata della lingua ebraica, is perhaps the most important grammatical work of the influential Italian scholar Samuel David Luzzatto (1800-1865). Never reprinted, and never before fully translated, this long inaccessible work has become almost unknown. Intended to serve as an introduction to a comprehensive Hebrew grammar, the book is replete with information and innovative insights that are still valuable to contemporary scholars. Moreover, in addition a complete translation with copious annotations, Aaron Rubin's edition of Luzzatto's Prolegomeni contains an appendix consisting of biographical sketches of the roughly 275 Hebrew scholars mentioned by Luzzatto. This book will be of great value to anyone interested in the Hebrew language and its fascinating history."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Samuel David Luzzatto (1800-1865), known by his Hebrew acronym Shadal, was the leading Italian Jewish scholar of the 19th century. A linguist, educator, and religious thinker, he devoted his talents above all to the interpretation of the Bible. As a master of Hebrew grammar and usage, he focused on the plain meaning of the text. Although he was a devout believer in the divinity, unity, and antiquity of the Torah, Shadal approached the text in a remarkably free spirit of inquiry, drawing upon a wide variety of sources, ancient and contemporary, Jewish and non-Jewish. As a result, his interpretations may strike even the modern reader as fresh and novel.Shadal sets the tone with his very first comment on the Book of Genesis (Bereshit):"The wise understand that the intent of the Torah is not to teach of the natural sciences, but that the Torah was given only to direct humankind on the path of righteousness and justice?. Therefore it is not proper for the Torah scholar to force the Scriptures from their literal meaning to make them conform with the natural sciences, nor is it proper for the critic to deny the Divine origin of the Torah if he finds things in its stories that do not conform with scientific research."Shadal's treatment of Genesis, as well as the other books of the Torah, consisted of his Italian translation of the text and his Hebrew-language commentary. Here is an all-English version of both the text translation and the commentary, first published in 1998 but now revised and updated to reflect new and newly available sources of information and the latest Shadal-related scholarship.
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