How Do You Approach a Text?

The Bible is the most important work in the history of literature, so it seems like a pretty important priority should be to figure out how to read it well! What strategies can your average person use to uncover the Biblical text’s meaning? Which commentaries are most important to consult? Are there new insights we can, perhaps, discover on our own? If so, how?

To unpack all this, Ari spoke with the founder of Aleph Beta, the legendary Biblical interpreter and teacher Rabbi David Fohrman. In a wide-ranging conversation they discussed how to break down a text; the role of reading commentaries; the artistry behind the story of Jacob and Esau; the importance of reading Biblical names in their Hebrew original; the Biblical misanthrope Onan; literary allusions in the story of Ruth and Boaz; how to appreciate the Book of Leviticus; the future of Biblical commentary; and much more!

Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.