My favorite Bible commentary is by Arnold Bogumil Ehrlich (15 January 1848 in Volodovka, Brest-Litovsk, to November 1919 in New Rochelle, New York). He was a brilliant scholar of the Bible and rabbinic literature. He perfectly recalled what he read and heard and could speak thirty-nine languages. He is best known for his book Mikra Kiphshuto, “The Bible according to its Literal Meaning.” It is three Hebrew volumes published between 1899 and 1901. Being always careful when viewing the Torah wording, he informs readers of what he can discern in the biblical words, which is fascinating information we generally miss. Tragically, this Hebrew commentary has not been translated into English so that more people can learn what this genius saw
Ehrlich shows his brilliance in Shelach (13:1-15:41), the fourth of the ten biblical portions in Numbers.
Verse 13:22 states, “Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.”
Erlich considers the usual understanding wrong. There is no reason why the Torah would want to inform us that the city of Hebron was built seven years before Zoan. If all it wants to inform us, as other commentators claim, is that Hebron was built before Zoan, there is no need to add seven.
He interprets the verse to tell us two things. First, Hebron, where the patriarchs and most matriarchs, except Rachel, were buried, is an important city. It is huge. Even in ancient times, when cities were smaller than now, it took seven years to build. Second, it is a very ancient city. It is even older than the famed Egyptian city Zoan.
Moses sent spies to Canaan to report on what they saw in the land toward which the Israelites were heading. Ten of the twelve spies brought back reports that frightened the Israelites. Only two, Joshua and Caleb, brought positive accounts. When Caleb saw the people being scared, he stepped forward and gave a glowing description of what he saw. Why didn’t Joshua speak?
Ehlich explains that Joshua realized that if he were the spokesman, the people would not believe him. They knew he was Moses’s assistant, and Joshua realized they would think he was lying to protect his position with Moses.
Shalom and Shabua Tob, Rabbi Drazin: I checked to see if Arnold Bogumil Ehrlich had any books written in English translation and was not successful.
Please share any other literature or possible books in English with me.
Am Yisrael Chai ✡️
Unfortunately, as far as I know, there is no English translation.
Mikra Kiphshuto, “The Bible according to its Literal Meaning,” sounds like a most intriguing and valuable contribution to the field of biblical commentary. I am particularly drawn to his approach of carefully considering the literal meaning of the Torah’s words, as this is a method that I myself employed in my own writings, dear Rabbi Israel Drazin! Best, stephen
I am giving some of his thoughts in English in my forthcoming book – which I am working on now – called Questioning the Bible Numbers.
I’m looking forward. Did Arnold write a commentary on other books of the Bible or just the Torah? What did he think of Psalm 19 (for example)?
I only know the book I mentioned.
Ehrlich wrote a book about the Psalms where he addresses Psalm 19, among others, called “The Psalms; newly translated and explained,” and “Die psalmen; neu uebersetzt und erklaert” in German.
Thank you for the information.
Israel
I would really like to read rabbi Arnold Ehrlich’s Bible commentary but I can’t read Hebrew. Someone should translate his book into English. Do you think you’d be willing to translate his book into English or know someone who would be willing to do that so that his rational commentary is more accessible to the English-speaking world?
I do not know anyone who would translate this masterpiece. See my response to Stephen.