Me՚a Shaՙarim: An English Targum of the Tora according to the Plain Meaning

Me՚a Shaՙarim is an attempt at the impossible: an unadulterated Targum [translation/interpretation] of the Tora—the Word of the Living God—into English. The Tora itself spells out the motivation for this œuvre:

For this commandment, which I commanded you today; it is not too wondrous for you, nor is it too far away. It is not in the heavens; to say who will ascend to the heavens for us and take it for us, making us hear it that we may obey it. Nor is it beyond the sea; to say who will cross over for us to beyond the sea and take it for us, making us hear it that we may obey it. Since the word is very near to you; in your mouth and in your heart to obey it. (Deut. 30:11-14)

The guiding principle which lead to the fruition of Me՚a Shaՙarim is the humble, yet powerful, precept of peshaṭ [interpretation by plain meaning], which rejects bending the interpretation to serve a particular agenda. We then approach the text with an open mind, learning from it rather than reaffirming preexisting beliefs and thought patterns. Through Me՚a Shaՙarim Tora scholar and Ḳaraite Jewish Ḥakham [sage] Meir Rekhavi gives the English speaker a chance to experience scripture in its purest form, paired with detailed explanations, extensive cross-references and cultural context.

A perfect targum is impossible because the full richness of the Hebrew original cannot be rendered precisely in another language, nor can the correct intent of the text always be determined with exactitude. Thus, Me՚a Shaՙarim is meant to be taken as a companion to the Hebrew Tora, not a replacement, and does not shy away from leaving open questions. It is a tour guide on a meaningful and intellectually challenging journey not only towards the foundations of ancient Israelite society, but ultimately towards understanding our place in the worlds of yesterday, today and tomorrow.