Israel Drazin invites readers into a thoughtful, eye-opening exploration of the Torah’s most puzzling passages in What We Don’t Know About God and People in the Bible: Over 400 Examples — Deuteronomy.

Written with clarity and depth, this volume gently guides you through hundreds of obscure or easily overlooked verses, encouraging you to pause, question, and engage with the text the way generations of Jewish thinkers have always done before us.

Drazin draws from classical philosophy, rabbinic conversation, and modern commentary to illuminate the layers within Deuteronomy and other books of the Torah. Each section helps readers notice details that often hide in plain sight — shifts in wording, unusual phrasing, and narrative gaps that invite curiosity and reflection. Rather than offering rigid conclusions, the author opens the door to interpretation, encouraging a deeper personal encounter with the biblical world.

This is an enriching companion for anyone who loves study, insight, and the quiet satisfaction of discovering something new each time they return to familiar chapters. Beautifully bound and published by Gefen Publishing House, it’s a substantial, thoughtful gift for students of Torah, lovers of Jewish scholarship, and anyone with a desire to learn while deepening their connection to the Holy Land.

Specifications

• Title: What We Don’t Know About God and People in the Bible: Over 400 Examples — Deuteronomy
• Author: Israel Drazin
• Publisher: Gefen Publishing House (Jerusalem • New York)
• Category: Judaism
• ISBN: 978-965-7801-63-5
• Format: Hardcover with dust jacket
• Back Cover Summary Included (discussion referencing The New Yorker, Plato’s Apology, and the importance of inquiry and interpretation)

About the Author

Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin is one of today’s most respected voices in rationalist Jewish scholarship. His career blends rigorous academic study, military leadership, and decades of public service, giving him a uniquely grounded perspective on ethics, faith, and human responsibility.

He served for thirty-one years as a chaplain in the United States Army, ultimately achieving the rank of brigadier general—placing him among the highest-ranking rabbis in U.S. military history. His service in leadership roles shaped his appreciation for disciplined thought, moral clarity, and the practical application of Jewish values.

Rabbi Dr. Drazin holds a PhD in Judaic studies and master’s degrees in psychology and Hebrew literature, as well as rabbinic ordination. He is also an attorney, bringing a legal mind to the study of Tanach, Talmud, and medieval philosophy. His work is deeply influenced by the rationalist tradition of Maimonides, whose emphasis on intellect, logic, and ethical development is woven throughout Drazin’s scholarship.

The author of sixty-two books—with more forthcoming—Rabbi Dr. Drazin has contributed extensively to Jewish thought, exploring themes of faith, history, interpretation, and the evolution of religious ideas. His writing emphasizes that Judaism encourages questioning, critical examination, and the pursuit of truth. He continues to publish essays and commentary on his website, Booksnthoughts.com, helping readers engage thoughtfully with Jewish tradition and modern life.