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.