Kol Ha-tor, Volume 1: Genesis

Kol Ha-tor presents an original translation of the Torah in the expansive, non-literary style first developed by the author in his 2004 translation of the Book of Psalms, Our Haven and Our Strength, and in his translation of the Book of Esther included in the Rabbinical Assembly’s edition of the Megillah that came out in 2022.

The text of Kol Ha-tor is divided according to the cycle of Torah readings that was in use in Roman Israel in the early rabbinic period—45 sedarim. Working in this ancient division allows readers to experience the text as it would have been known during the formative years of rabbinic Judaism. Christian readers will have the parallel opportunity of experiencing the text as it would have been read  aloud in synagogue during the lifetime of Jesus of Nazareth and his disciples. There is much scholarly debate about the precise division of the text, but Kol Ha-tor follows the so-called Leningrad Codex, the oldest complete manuscript of the Hebrew Bible known in its entirety.

The translation is provided with a devotional commentary rooted in the supposition that each seder has a specific lesson to teach, something even today capable of guiding readers who hope to grow spiritually through the contemplation of Scripture.

Kol Ha-tor also indicates the tradition chapter and verse division of the text into the 54 parashot used today in synagogues across the world, plus the aliyot that divide the parashot for the Saturday morning readings of the Torah. The original Hebrew text, including cantillation marks, is also included, lined-up opposite its translation for easy reference.