Synopsis

The Book of Understanding is a unique book on the concept of understanding. It thoroughly brings forth all the facets of Understanding found in the Holy Scriptures and the means to obtain it. And for the first time in a lucid and orderly manner it is shown how to ascend the Ladder of Understanding all the way up to the summit where one receives the ability to fully grasp the Truth. We can learn all about the foundation of that ladder which is awe: the reverential fear [YIRAH, YARE] of the Lord. In the successive rungs we find out the biblical meaning of wisdom [HOKMAH], and of the various gradations of understanding [BIN, BINAH, SEKEL, TEBUNAH], knowledge [DAATH, DEAH], and counsel [ETSAH, TACHBULOTH]. Finally on the last rung we learn about the mysterious gift of TUSHIYYAH which enables one not only to grasp the Truth but to bring it forth from the heart. The Book of Understanding was written to give us understanding.

Editorial Reviews

Bruce M.Metzger, Ph.D.,L.H.D., Theol. Professor of New Testament Emeritus,
Princeton Theological Seminary. Editor of The Oxford Annotated Bible and Editor in Chief
of the Revised Standard Version Bible and The New Revised Standard Version Bible.

This remarkable book is on the concept of understanding as reflected in the Bible, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Philo Judaeus, the Talmuds, the Zohar and a very wide range of Church Farthers, Rabbinic, and ancient Egyptian, Ugaritic and Babylonian writings. There is, to my knowledge, no other work on the theme of Understanding assembled with such vast industry from an extraordinarily wide scope of ancient literatures. —Bruce M. Metzger

Rabbi Joseph H. Ehrenkranz, Executive Director
The Center for Christian Jewish Understanding

The Book of Understanding is an encyclopedic work enabling us to ascend the Ladder of Understanding. The author carefully documents each rung of the ladder as it commences from the foundation which is: 'The fear of The Lord' all the way up to theTruth at the very summit. As he presents each rung of the ladder he calls upon the Holy Scriptures, Midrashic and other rabbinic texts, the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmud, the Zohar, in addition to commentaries from both Christian and Jewish tradition. So much scholarship is methodically and clearly compiled so as to prove each step up the ladder, beyond the shadow of a doubt. The author systematically searches and researches the sources to painstakingly interpret each word validating each step. Wisdom, Understanding, and Knowledge, all sound so much alike but he helps us to know the nuances between them—the development and advancement from one to the other. Each rung requires meditation and contemplation for he focuses our attention on how one can live the 'good life' fulfilling the purpose for which we were created, and the goals of the Almighty. The Book of Understanding is in essence a text-book of life, a major contribution for those who seek a way of life based on fundamental faith leading to Understanding." —Joseph H. Ehrenkranz