From: 	 heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com
Sent: 	 Tuesday, September 2, 1997 1:01 AM
To: 	 Hebraic Heritage Newsgroup; yadhu@haydid.org
Subject: Re: Bible software
From:          "Mark R. Ensign"
Organization:  Mark R. Ensign, JD, CPA
To:            heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
Subject:       Re: Bible software
Shalom, Eddie, Doug and Hebraic Heritage Heirs:
Doug Sharp asked for comments about some resources and programs for
Hebraic Heritage study.  I've experience with some of these.
> Potential Programs I've Found (not in any particular order):
>
> Encyclopedia Judaica
Excellent.  The creme de la creme of resources about Hebraic Heritage
from a fully Judaic perspective.  I have both hard copy - wonderful for
the great full-color pictures, charts, and illustrations - and the CDROM
version - great for searching and quick access to information.  There
are 18 oversized (pages are 8" x 12" laid out in double columns of
rather small type) volumes taking about 30 inches of shelf space and the
cost is about $700-800.  The CDROM version is fully contained on one
disk with hypertext.  The contents are updated with new articles while,
I understand, containing the full contents of the hardcopy but the
photos and illustrations can't compare to the hardcopy. The CDROM also
has some nice video clips of historical events and quite a collection of
audio clips with music, etc.  The CDROM costs about $500.
The Encyclopedia Judaica also has much to offer about faith and practice
that is significant for those seeking their Heritage.  For example, the
article on sacrifice is over 8 pages long and thorough covers the
various types, their purpose and significance, etc.  And the coverage of
the times of Yeshua and Shaul are inciteful and helpful.  Obviously the
Talmudic influence is high but that does not negate the other
information provided.
If you can afford either version, I highly recommend the Encyclopedia
Judaica.  And if you can find one, the predecessor - Jewish Encyclopedia
- is excellent too.
> Artscroll's Stone Edition of the Chumash
Another excellent resource being only the Torah with extensive
commentary.  It is laid out in a very readable, two-page format with the
Hebrew in the upper right page bordered by Rashi's commentary in Hebrew
and Onkelos' in Aramaic.  The English translation is on the upper left
page.  English commentary is on the lower part of both pages.  The
commentary provides many useful insights to the meaning of the text,
persons, events, practices, etc.  For my Torah teaching it has been an
excellent resource and I have recommended it to our congregation.  Of
course, one must be careful to filter out the Talmudic tradition and
commentary that is contrary to the teachings of Yeshua, Shaul, and the
Talmidim.
> The Dead Sea Scrolls Revealed
> The Book of Legends
> Encyclopedia Talmudit (again, I believe this may only be available in
Hebrew)
> Judaic Classics Deluxe Edition
> Bible Scholar
> Bible Scholar plus Rashi
> Torah Codes
> Torah Gematria (which may be a part of Bible Scholar, but I'm not sure)
> Torah Power Builder
> Talmud Master
> Judaic Archives
> Otzar Haposkim
I've studied carefully the ads for a number of these items but I could
not justify purchasing any of them having the Encyclopedia Judaica,
Blackman's Mishnah (a 7 volume set that is also recommended) Bibleworks,
Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (10 volumes) and about 40
feet of other books and resources on Jewish and Biblical topics.
> Also, any help with the best Hebrew language self-study courses would be
> appreciated.
Neal Walters has developed an excellent self-study Hebrew course that is
coming out on CDROM with sound clips for words, blessings, etc.  He can
be contacted at     nwalters@sprynet.com or check out his excellent web
site at http://www.amerisoftinc.com/prod01.htm and the page that
compares a number of self-study Hebrew courses and recommend a lot of
other Hebrew related books and materials at
http://www.amerisoftinc.com/bookset.htm, reviews that I generally agree
with.
Shalom in Yeshua,
Mark
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