Daniel Eidensohn, Emunah Press, 2005
This is not really a coherent book, rather an enormous collection of sources in Hebrew and English on key subjects in faith and Torah outlook. The main sections are faith, truth, trusting God, providence, suffering, effort and Mazal, although the actual content is far broader than these would indicate. The author, who lives in Jerusalem, states that, ‘the main purpose of this work is to provide a source of relevant texts – organised for ready access. In the introduction, he emphasises that there is a vital need for a book (this a huge one – 847 close-type pages) that presents primary texts without polemics. No interpretation is provided, merely the text in English and its source, with the original in miniscule Hebrew writing near the back of the book. Eidensohn points out the limitations of translation (I am very concerned about this issue, as we see huge disagreements between the mediaeval scholars about the meaning of even the Torah text) and recognises that it can only provide a tentative understanding. An invaluable sourcebook, which, as far as I know, is only available in Israel.
Daas Torah
