A Humash is a printed version of the five books of Moses. It is a printed version of a Sefer Torah (handwritten by a scribe on parchment) and is intended for Torah study and learning. It is additionally used to read the weekly Torah portion at home or follow along with the reading in a synagogue.
The Steinsaltz Humash contains the five books:
- Bereishit (Genesis)
- Shemot (Exodus)
- Vayikra (Leviticus)
- Bamidbar (Numbers)
- Devarim (Deuteronomy)
In addition to the five books, it also contains the weekly haftorah reading, including the Megillot and holiday haftorah readings.
The Steinsaltz Humash features several innovative elements, including Hebrew verses in clear Koren font, with vowels and punctuation. Direct translations appear in bold print for additional clarity. This is an accessible new modern English translation that is faithful to the Hebrew text and reflects Rabbi Steinsaltz’s understanding of the text.
The Steinsaltz Humash includes color photos identifying biblical objects and illustrating complicated concepts. Notes and pictures of modern archaeological and scientific findings. Maps, illustrations, and charts to clarify locations and concepts. It is also printed with supplemental background materials such as cross-references to other passages in the Torah.
The Steinsaltz Humash, Second Addition
Rabbi Steinsaltz has written more than 60 books and hundreds of articles, established the Makor Chaim network of schools in Israel and the former Soviet Union, and holds several honorary degrees, including the Israel Prize for Jewish Studies and Israel’s first President’s Prize. He was born in Jerusalem IN 1934 and passed from this world in 2020.
The impact that Rabbi Steinsaltz, of blessed memory, had in spreading the learning of Torah, enhancing the understanding of our texts and religion, bringing Jews closer to their God and their faith cannot be overstated.
Rabbi Steinsaltz’s translations and commentaries of Tanakh and many more Jewish texts have placed him as perhaps the most prolific commentator of Jewish texts in history, drawing a comparison to Rashi. His countless other works on Jewish thought, Hassidut, philosophy, and more have touched the souls of thousands and have already taken their place among the core texts of modern Jewish thought.