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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