I: THIS EMAIL GROUP presents a transation of the Biblical book of Job in MEMORY of ABRAHAM HENDEL, who died on 18 Kislev (November 22) 2002. This translation is (c) by RashiYomi, 2002, and 2003, and is written by Dr Russell Hendel (and proofread by Bonnie Besdin). The primary activity of this email group is the translation of the Book Of Job. II: THE INNOVATION in this translation is the use of PARAGRAPHING to clearly indicate main ideas (even if the meaning of some individual words remains obscure). This email group will have 25 postings since the book of Job conveniently subdivides into 3 dialogues (between Job and his 3 friends) followed by the 4 essays on Suffering of Elihu followed by Gods final 2 answers. III: HERE ARE SOME CONSEQUENCES OF THE PARAGRAPHING APPROACH: (a) Each chapter or unit of dialog is summarized using one topic sentence - this allows the reader to UNDERSTAND the chapter as a whole even if some individual words remain obscure. (b)Each chapter is subdivided into half a dozen subtopic sentences--again this allows the reader to UNDERSTAND groups of verses even though some words are obscure. (c) The translation uses indentation and alignment to suggest parallelisms and thereby aid comprehension. IV: Most of this translation was originally written in the 80s---I in fact offered to translate Job for ArtScroll but they already had someone else. I believe the novelty in my translation is the emphasis on overall meaning--this enables a reader to walk away and feel they UNDERSTAND major themes. This emphasis on overall design is highlighted in the commentary of the Ralbag, Gersonidees, on Job. This introduction and postings,
(c) 2002-3, will also be posted on the RashiYomi website,
at http://www.RashiYomi.com/