[net.religion.jewish] Midrash

johnl@proper.UUCP (John A. Limpert ) (06/19/84)

I've been reading an excellent series of Midrash anthologies
entitled "The Midrash Says".  I am looking for recommendations
of other English translations of Midrashim, preferably complete
translations of original sources with English and Hebrew text. 
Anyone have any suggestions?

By the way, who is Rabbi Moshe Feinstein?  In many of the books
I have read, he has written a one page letter of approval that
is reproduced at the beginning of the book.

John Limpert
johnl@proper

dsg@mhuxi.UUCP (GREEN) (06/21/84)

[Hello, Mr. Golem!]
	The "standard" English translation of the Midrash is:
"The Midrash Rabbah" in 5 volumes by The Soncino Press,
5 Essex Street NY, NY 10002.   This is a very literal, scholarly
translation.   If you want many books in the style of "The Midrash
Says" series, send away for a brochure from:
Mesorah Publications, Ltd (publishers of the Artscroll series)
1969 Coney Island Avenue
Brooklyn, New York  11223  ( they accept mail order by USPS and phone )
	The ArtScroll Tanach/Bible series contains the Hebrew, an English
translation, and commentary drawn from the Talmud, Midrash, Kabbalistic
writings, and contemporary scholars.  Rabbi Moshe Feinstein has also
"approved" the ArtScroll series ( by the way, the English translation
of what he says is something to the effect of that "Although I have
not personally read the entire book, scholars studying with me have,
and I approve...").  Who is Rabbi Feinstein?  One of the most, if not
the most, respected Tzaddiks of 20th Century America!  
Good Reading,
David Seth Green  mhuxi!dsg  201-564-2290

P. S.  While we are on the subject of Midrash, you can still get a copy
of Woody Allen's "Getting Even", which has some rather interesting 
Hassidic Tales.