From Israel comes a book that brings the weekly Torah portion into a clear, thoughtful focus – offering readers a direct way to connect timeless Jewish values with the cycles of modern life. Jewish Values in the Torah Portion gathers 54 essays that move through the parashah cycle, each one anchored in a central idea drawn from the text and developed with clarity, depth, and respect for tradition. The writing is steady and engaging, inviting readers to look again at familiar passages and discover ideas that feel both anchored in heritage and surprisingly relevant today.
Rabbi Dr. Nachum Amsel approaches the Torah portion with the demeanor of a seasoned educator and the curiosity of someone who has spent decades teaching students of every background. His essays do not attempt to dazzle or overwhelm. Instead, they guide – gently but confidently – toward a deeper understanding of how the Torah’s teachings speak to dignity, responsibility, unity, compassion, speech, leadership, community, and so many of the questions that shape Jewish life. Each chapter opens with a moment from the parashah, then extends into a broader ethical reflection, showing how classical sources and contemporary concerns can coexist in one seamless conversation.
The result is a book that feels as comfortable on the Shabbat table as it does in a weekday study session. It is accessible to readers new to Torah learning and equally rewarding for those who have spent years with the text. Rooted in scholarship, written with care, and shaped by the author’s lifelong commitment to Jewish education, this volume offers a steady companion for anyone who wants to weave study, meaning, and tradition into the week.
Created in Israel and shaped by the values of its Jewish educational community, this book brings thoughtful Torah learning into everyday life and invites readers – wherever they are – to connect more deeply with the heritage that continues to grow in Israel.
Specifications
- Hardcover volume
- Author: Rabbi Dr. Nachum Amsel
- 54 weekly parashah essays
- Publisher: Gefen Publishing House, Jerusalem & New York
- Language: English
- Includes preface, thematic index, full table of contents
- Suitable for individual study, Shabbat-table insight, or classroom use
- Ideal gift for readers interested in Torah values, ethics, and Jewish learning rooted in Israel
- ISBN and barcodes as printed on the book
- Printed and bound with durable materials for long term study
- new
Jewish Values in the Torah Portion – Rabbi Dr. Nachum Amsel
Gefen Publishing House is located in Jerusalem. It was founded in 1981 by Murray and Hana Greenfield. The Greenfields wanted to establish a printing house that would allow them the opportunity to tell the stories so important to the Jewish people and the land of Israel.
The enterprise is a family-run business, with their son Ilan as the current CEO. The publishing house prints approximately 40 titles a year specializing in English language books of Jewish and Israeli interest. Their books cover a wide variety of topics from Torah-related texts, Jewish history, fiction, children’s books, and more.