Rating: 
Summary: Excellent for Academic Study of the Tanakh
Review: This book is an excellent resource for those undertaking an academic study of the Hebrew Scripture. It continues the high standards Oxford University Press set with thier Annotated Bible with Apocrypha. The notes and commentary use modern secular Biblical scholarship, which is often times at odds with faith based scholarship. I point this out because many past reviewers seemed mislead by the title. The modified JPS translation is one of the most accurate available, though it does has its problems as any translation does. I would wager that those complaining of the translation's inaccuracies are likely not familiar with what the Hebrew text actually says. In academic study it is important to look at the literal meaning of the words instead of interpreting the meaning in light of one's faith (Not that faith based interpretations are "wrong," just that they differ in form and purpose from an academic interpretation).
Rating: 
Summary: An Orthodox Jewish Perspective on the Text
Review: This review is in response to the first review that appears on the Amazon website for the Study Bible. At first I was hesitant to purchase the text, because I was afraid that it would push the documentary hypothesis (i.e. that the Bible was written by man, and not necessarily even inspired by God; a position that is antithetical to traditional Judaism). When I saw the first review, which said that it doesn't try to push the Documentary Hypothesis like some versions do, I was placated and decided that I would buy the book. Upon receiving the book, however, I was disapointed and felt that the review that led me to purchase the text was misleading. Firstly, the introduction is devoted to explaining the Documentary Hypothesis. Secondly, the commentary is mostly an explanation of how events, artifacts, and customs mentioned in the Bible are merely adaptation for general Ancient Near East Culture. For example, the biblical injunction to not add to or subtract from the biblical decrees is explained as a common feature of "Wisdom Literature" from the Ancient Near East. The commentary does not, in any way, seek to explain the excerpt in a way that makes it relevant to the life of the reader or to the practice of Judaism. If you want something that reads like a dry history book, then this is for you. If you want something that brings the Bible to life and invokes spirituality--and most importantly, builds its analysis on the belief that the Bible was given by God, then please look elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: An Introduction to Jewish Thought on the Bible
Review: This study Bible contains the Jewish Publication Society's "Tanakh" translation of the Jewish scriptures [the Old Testament to Christians], together with extensive notes. The notes reflect modern scholarship, also indicate how a passage has been interpreted throughout the long history of Judaism and how a passage is used in Judaism today. Frequently, the notes give alternatives to the meanings presented in the translation. While the notes are far more extensive than in ecumenical study Bibles [such as the New Oxford Annotated Bible and the HarperCollins Study Bible], they serve only as a bare introduction to the vast wealth of Jewish commentary on the Bible. The JPS translation, like all Jewish translations, adheres to the Masoretic (traditional) Hebrew text used in the Jewish liturgy. Most Christian translations substitute readings from other sources (such as the Greek Septuagint translation and the Dead Sea Scrolls) when they are thought to be more accurate than the Masoretic Text. This study Bible does not pretend that, in places, other sources may reflect the original form of the text. The notes -- both to the Study Bible and the translation -- suggest possible alternate readings from other sources. A long section of articles in the back of the Study Bible provides an introduction to Jewish interpretation and use of the Bible throughout the ages. While it is impossible for any one-volume work to do more than scratch the surface of Jewish Bible scholarship throughout the ages, the Jewish Study Bible provides an introduction for Jews, and others who are interested in Judaism, to Jewish Bible study. It is definitely worth buying by those who do not have the time (or the money) for a multiplicity of volumes.
Rating:
Summary: An Introduction to Jewish Thought on the Bible
Review: This study Bible contains the Jewish Publication Society's "Tanakh" translation of the Jewish scriptures [the Old Testament to Christians], together with extensive notes. The notes reflect modern scholarship, also indicate how a passage has been interpreted throughout the long history of Judaism and how a passage is used in Judaism today. Frequently, the notes give alternatives to the meanings presented in the translation. While the notes are far more extensive than in ecumenical study Bibles [such as the New Oxford Annotated Bible and the HarperCollins Study Bible], they serve only as a bare introduction to the vast wealth of Jewish commentary on the Bible. The JPS translation, like all Jewish translations, adheres to the Masoretic (traditional) Hebrew text used in the Jewish liturgy. Most Christian translations substitute readings from other sources (such as the Greek Septuagint translation and the Dead Sea Scrolls) when they are thought to be more accurate than the Masoretic Text. This study Bible does not pretend that, in places, other sources may reflect the original form of the text. The notes -- both to the Study Bible and the translation -- suggest possible alternate readings from other sources. A long section of articles in the back of the Study Bible provides an introduction to Jewish interpretation and use of the Bible throughout the ages. While it is impossible for any one-volume work to do more than scratch the surface of Jewish Bible scholarship throughout the ages, the Jewish Study Bible provides an introduction for Jews, and others who are interested in Judaism, to Jewish Bible study. It is definitely worth buying by those who do not have the time (or the money) for a multiplicity of volumes.
Rating: 
Summary: Classical commentary in approachable format
Review: This Tanach looks like a terrific resource for English-speaking Jews. It includes many traditional commentaries and covers them in an objective fashion --- religious Jews can read the commentaries without feeling like they are watered down or attempting to prove the Documentary Hypothesis (as a certain Torah edition does), and less religious Jews can read the commentaries without feeling like they push an ultra-Orthodox interpretation (as a certain other Torah commentary does). That said, I haven't read the whole thing, so it's certainly possible it has weaknesses that I am unaware of.
Obviously any book of this length cannot possibly cover everything --- the interested reader should supplement it with their choice of 20 volume commentary.
Rating:
Summary: Very Disappointed
Review: When I first ordered the book, I expected to find a true Bible commentary from the Jewish perspective. But to my great disappointment, this book is not what it claimed to be.
In many places, this book confuses the readers by presenting 'contradictions' of verses and does not provide any explanation to them. I know there are explanations for the alleged contradictions from the Jewish veiwpoint. I find the commentary written from a critic viewpoint, often atheistic. Many of the comments are contradicting Jewish beliefs! This book may leave enthusiastic readers with doubts and may shattered the faith of the some believers. This is certainly not the book for Religious Jews or anyone who seeks to experience Judaism spiritually.
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