Rating: 
Summary: What's a review if it doesn't review the book?
Review: I happen to be a fan of Everett Fox's amazing translation of the Bible. Like all books there are positive things about it and some things I might have done differently. But the review by Ira Moon is what caused me to write. His so called "review"is a critique of the Bible itself--a critique that he is welcome to have of course; however, he would have that same critique of any edition of any Bible in any translation or the original. This review in no way reflects on Everett Fox's work either positively or negatively.I would hate to see someone not read this wonderful rendition of the Bible because Ira Moon dumped on it his opinions about the Bible in particular and religion in general.
Rating: 
Summary: Too much commentary
Review: I wanted a Torah, translated from the earliest manuscripts and translated by a non-affiliated, objective translator. I think that's what I got, but there is way too much explanation, commentary and presentation of alternatives. All that makes it difficult to read. For instance, you turn the page to follow along and it's not the text, it's some explanation page.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful new translation.
Review: Moshe had all the shoppers of Ha-Matzon-Da'at-Kam called together and said to them: Hey-everybody! If you are tired-of-reading (the) same old Bible translations, Read, you must read this-here-new-one! For it (is) very-good, even if the use-of-hyphens (is) a little-funny, And even if nobody ever talked-(like)-this, no! So put your credit-card-number into the buying-place, And procure-for-you (this) nifty-new-rendering of the Torah of Israel, which (is) very-refreshing! God saw the book: that it was good. God said: Here, I give you this way-cool-book, that you may read-of-it; Buy, you must buy it, so that the vendors of Ha-Matzon-Da'at-Kam may-prosper! And it was so: the shoppers of Ha-Matzon-Da'at-Kam bought the new-translation, And they were, yes, pleased-as-punch with (their) purchase, into the ages!
Rating:
Summary: A new beginning...
Review: Schocken Press has undertaken an ambitious project, to retranslate the Bible into modern language capturing the sound and quality of idiom of the original languages as much as possible. The first volume of this project is available in The Five Books of Moses, Shocken Bible: Volume I, translated and with commentary by Everett Fox. 'Based upon principles developed by Martin Buber and Franz Rosenzweig, this new English translation restores the poetics of the Hebrew original--the echoes, allusions, alliterations, and word-plays that rhetorically underscore its meaning and are intrinsic to a text meant to be read aloud and heard.' The underlying premise of most translations of the Bible have been to clarify the meaning of the text. While this is certainly not overlooked here, it can be the case that in the pursuit of textual clarity, the ability to make it audibly intelligible gets lost -- a lot of passages from the New Revised Standard Version, for instance, are so precise in construction that they defy oral expression. Fox says in his Translator's Preface: 'I have presented the text in English dress but with a Hebraic voice.' Careful attention has been given to rhythm and sound. Too many English translations overlook the auditory quality of the words, and while striving to capture the idea of the text, they miss the crucial 'hearing cues' that an oral rendering would give the listener. To this end, the text is printed as if it were in blank verse (save where a poetic style was already present and could be carried forward). Proper nouns (the names of persons and places) retain their Hebraic forms; odd, though, that the title of the book is The Five Books of Moses rather than The Five Books of Moshe. Also, a principle of the 'leading-word' is employed here. A good example follows: The New English Bible translated Genesis 32.21-22 as: for he thought, 'I will appease him with the present I have sent on ahead, and afterwards, when I come into his presence, he will perhaps receive me kindly.' So Jacob's present went on ahead of him... Here, one would get the idea that the 'present' is the key word. But, in Hebrew, it isn't. Fox's translation reads thusly: For he said to himself:
I will wipe (the anger from) his face
with the gift that goes ahead of my face
afterward, when I see his face,
perhaps he will lift up my face!
The gift crossed over ahead of his face... A very different sense of meaning, cadence, and purpose comes out from this translation. Fox is heavily indebted to the work of Buber and Rosenzweig (who worked on a German translation similar in character to this English translation) in the early part of this century. Fox dismisses the idea that this is simply an English variant of their German masterpiece, but does acknowledge great inspiration and methodological similarities. 'Buber and Rosenzweig translated the Bible out of the deep conviction that language has the power to bridge worlds and to redeem human beings. They both, separately and together, fought to restore the power of ancient words and to speak modern ones with wholeness and genuineness.' Fox begins each of the five books with an essay discussing historical context, textual contents, themes and structures, and other important items. Fox continues a running commentary of the text on pages opposite the Biblical text, and has extensive notes. This is a work of care and precision, and very useful for Biblical research. Worthwhile for scholars, Bible enthusiasts, and occasional readers, this book is an interesting addition to any collection, and a vital piece for research and exegesis of the Torah.
Rating:
Summary: A fine translation that sounds well when read out loud
Review: Since I do not read Hebrew or Greek I have to read the scriptures in English and like all readers of translations my views of them are affected by the goals and purposes they took in preparing their translations. I have read many over the years and there are many that are quite good and have different points to recommend them. And their critics are always able to point out their limitations and even some questionable points. This translation is quite interesting in its approach to capture the pulse, feel, and literary style of the Hebrew in English. I cannot say how effectively it was done, because I can't read Hebrew. Many others have praised it. I can say that it reads in a very vivid and dramatic way. It has a lively and powerful feel to its language. There are times it does not read as idiomatic English, but you would expect that if it were trying to capture Hebrew, right? There are also many helps for the reader including introductory essays, helpful footnotes, and a great suggested reading list for further study. The hard cover edition I have is very handsomely printed in easy to read type, fine paper, with some black and white illuminations to start the books. I think this is wonderful addition to the shelves of English translations out there and deserves to be read by anyone interested in getting at a more aural approach to these scriptures. This translation really does sound better being read out lout than it reads for the eye. As I understand things, that is what the translator was after, and he succeeded.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Translation of My Favorite Books
Review: The Torah is my life. Until I finish my Hebrew studies, to read it myself, Mr. Fox's translation is the best I can do... A very good friend of mine, who specializes in Hebrew translation, gave a strong recommendation for this work. Beautiful to read, especially when read aloud!
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Translation of the Excellent Book
Review: The Torah, the Law of Moses. This translation attempts to give a flavor in English of what the Hebrew original is like. Since most non-Jewish readers of the Bible will never learn Hebrew, this is as close as most of us will come. Some of the stories here are mythological and some are factual. The narrative portions are moving and show fully developed human beings who are frail and weak even when guided by God. Reading of the Faith of the Patriarchs and of Moses the lawgiver is inspiring. This is an excellent translation.
Rating: 
Summary: The Hebrew Torah as it should be in English
Review: This is an incredible book. I think that anyone who wants to read the TORAH in the Hebraic way but don't know Hebrew this is an incredible translation. This book should be in everyone's library of Christian/Jewish/Messianic Jewish books. I can't say enough about it. The only drawback that I would say about it, especially in dealing with the Hebrew names is it is also helpful to have a general translation with you when you are reading it i.e., Reu'ven=Reuben. This is a minor point but all in all this book is so cool.
Rating:
Summary: The commentary and notes are invaluable.
Review: This modern translation is thought provoking and very carefully done. It captures the essence of the Hebrew wordplay, all the while Fox very carefully documents his
paraphrases. The Schocken edition is arranged with comments
on the left page and the text with explanitory footnotes
on the right page. The comments are insightful and thought
provoking without being condescending or abstruce. The
Schocken edition is a handsome volume with gilded edges
and excellent binding which will complement any library.
Recommended for both Jew and Christian alike.
Rating:
Summary: A must
Review: This Translation of the Torah is a must to everyone, who wants more insight and a good understanding of Scriptures in the English language!
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