I studied Midrash Mishle with Burt Visotzky in a class at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Rabbi Visotzky has dedicated his life to this text and it shows in this translation, which makes this particular midrash accessible to the English speaking audience. The stories in this midrash are superb and Dr. Visotzky footnotes all known manuscripts and their variations.

If you liked the Book of Proverbs, you're sure to enjoy the Midrash on Proverbs!

Dr. Visotzky's translation on the Midrash of Proverbs is first rate, as one expects from the Yale Judaica Series. The book is more than a straight translation of _Midrash Mishle_ (_The Midrash on Proverbs_). It is an English translation of Visotzky's carefully prepared critical edition of Midrash Mishle (originally published in Hebrew). _Midrash on Proverbs_ is accessible to both serious scholars and informed enthusiasts. Visotzky's clear translations are sensitive to the original Hebrew, his short commentary is succinct and helpful, and the layout of the book itself is extremely lucid and straightforward. If you do not have the Hebrew skills to study this midrash in the original, this is the book for you! It is a pleasure to own and read.

Thoroughly readable, yet acknowledging scholarly differences, FROM MESOPOTAMIA TO MODERNITY presents the history and literature of Judaism from Tanakh to the State of Israel in 245 pages. The instructor can base an adult education series, an undergraduate course or a graduate seminar on this book, its references and other sources as s/he chooses.

This book is a great help for one interested in learning about biblical exegisis. No teacher should be without it.

This is one of the best books on The Bible that I've ever read. It is thought-provoking, insightful, and wonderfully human and humorous. I read it after seeing the author on Bill Moyer's Genesis series. This book is not just for Jewish readers; I think anyone who enjoys reading and thinking will find it delightful. It will spur even skeptics like me to a reading and appreciation of the ancient writings in The Bible.

Burton Visotzky, in his down-to-earth voice, brings a new way of reading the heavenly work. He looks critically at Genesis 25-50 and in doing so opens it up to less experienced readers as well as people very familiar with the Bible. While some of his interpretations are "out-there" and others even mildly offensive to traditional readings, all are interesting and inspire as well as encourage original thinking. The Hebrew Bible may be the most read work in Western Civilization but Visotzky's book opens the reader's minds to new ways of thinking and new possibilities as to what is really there and how to relate that to contemporary life.

Rabbi Visotzky brings light to the events of Abraham's family in a way that few commentators have really explored. His insight into midrash and Tanach blends this ancient world with his insight of the dynamics of today's family. He creates refreshing and believable discussions of some of the most controversial topics and applies their relevance to us today. I personally feel much more comfortable and secure in the classroom now that I have been able to view "our family" from his perspective. I look forward to reading many more of his titles.

Wonderfully done little book that applies midrash to the book of Genesis and results in an accessible, insightful modern look at the stories and intent of the words. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new way to look at scripture in today's world.