The Rubin Edition of The Prophets
The Early Prophets with a Commentary Anthologized from the Rabbinic Writings
By Rabbi Nosson Scherman
Mesorah Publications, New York
Reviewed by Rochelle Caviness - December 26, 2006
Artscroll and Mesorah Publications have well-earned reputations for publishing outstanding religious texts. One of their newest projects is the Rubin Edition of The Prophets. Designed to match the Stone Edition of the Chumash, the Rubin Edition of the The Prophets will grace any bookshelf. More important, this new edition of The Prophets serves as an indispensable aid for anyone studying the Nach (Prophets and Sacred Writings). The Early Prophets (Neviim Rishonim) series is complete in a three-volume, matched set. Volume one contains the text of the books of Joshua and of Judges, volume two contains the text of I Samuel and II Samuel, and the third volume in this series contains the books of I Kings and II Kings.
For anyone wishing to study the text, detailed commentaries in Hebrew by Rashi, Radak, and Metzudos Tzion, taken from the Mikraos Gedolos, are included. In addition, these volumes also include commentaries in English taken from a variety of classic sources. Throughout, the main text is presented in vowelized Hebrew, with the English translation on the facing page, accompanied by notes in the margins. According to the books' introduction, the commentary in these books "...introduces and explains, inspires and clarifies, guides the reader through the chapters and verses so that they are easily comprehensible and so that even ... complex issues ... are understood as elucidated by the Sages and classic commentators."
The texts are further enhanced by the inclusion of supplemental material. In the Joshua / Judges volume, this material includes several maps, a time line, and a concise overview on the Prophets and Prophecy. In the Samuel (I-II Samuel) volume, this material includes a detailed essay entitled, The Enigma of King David. And, the Kings (I-II Kings) volume contains maps and a timeline of the Babylonian Exile and one on the Jewish Monarchy. These supplemental materials serve to increase the readers understanding and appreciation of the material presented in the main body of the text.
The Rubin Edition of The Prophets is a perfect companion to the Stone Edition of the Chumash, and continues the important work being carried out by the Mesorah Heritage Foundation. These incredible sefers are perfect both for general reading, as well as for study. In addition, they provide English-only readers with the ability to study and gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the Nevi'im (Prophets).
Related Reviews:
The Stone Edition of the Tanach, edited By Rabbi Nosson Scherman.
This single volume edition of the Tanach contains all 24 books of the Bible (Chumash, Neviim, and Kesuvim) in Hebrew, with an English translation on the facing page.
The Artscroll Tehillim, Edited by Rabbi Nosson Scherman and Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz.
The psalms of King David, in Hebrew with English translation on the facing page. This edition includes brief commentaries related to the Tehillim.
