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Pardes Lauder: The Torah in Polish
After 1939, there was no new translation of
the Torah in Poland. Smaller prayer books were printed or photocopied
in small quantities by the Communities themselves.
A new translation is currently being prepared in Krakow, under the
direction of Sacha Pecaric and Ewa Gordon. Thanks to support from the
Ronald S. Lauder Foundation, the two first books have already been
published: Bereshit (Genesis) and Shemot (Exodus). These names come from
the books' first words. The next will be Leviticus (Vayikra), Numbers
(Bemidbar) and Deuteronomy (Devarim). This edition of the Torah is being
prepared on the basis of studies of the Torah and Talmud that have
taken place in Krakow for years under the direction of Sacha Pecaric.
The pages themselves always have the original Hebrew text at the top
right, with Rashi's commentary below. On the left-hand page at the top
there is the text of the Polish translation and rabbinical commentaries
below.
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As with every translation, this one, too,
has sparked controversy. It is distinguished by the author's attempts to
avoid all anthropomorphic descriptions of God in the text and
commentaries.
This work has attracted much interest, not only among Polish Jews,
but also among Christians who desire to learn about other traditions of
the Holy Scriptures. As Bishop Pedro Lopez Quintana wrote on behalf of
John Paul II, "one should hope that the Polish translation of Bereshit,
revealing to readers the 'depth of the Jewish interpretation of the
Torah' and will bring about a better understanding between people who
want to build a future on the basis of mutual respect, understanding and
mutual responsibility, bringing them closer together."
(pc/cm)
Publisher:
Stowarzyszenie Pardes
ul. Starowislna 28/8
31-032 Krakow
Poland
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