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This hardbound series consists of the following titles:

1. The JPS Torah Commentary: Genesis
2. The JPS Torah Commentary: Exodus
3. The JPS Torah Commentary: Leviticus
4. The JPS Torah Commentary: Numbers
5. The JPS Torah Commentary: Deuteronomy
6. The JPS Bible Commentary: Ecclesiastes
7. The JPS Bible Commentary: Haftarot
8. The JPS Bible Commentary: Esther
9. The JPS Bible Commentary: Jonah
10. The JPS Commentary on the Haggadah
11. The JPS Bible Commentary: Ruth

Torah Commentary (Genesis through Deuteronomy)

The JPS Torah Commentary series guides readers through the words and ideas of the Torah. Each volume is the work of a scholar who stands at the pinnacle of his field.

Every page contains the complete traditional Hebrew text, with cantillation notes, the JPS translation of the Holy Scriptures, aliyot breaks, Masoretic notes, and commentary by a distinguished Hebrew Bible scholar, integrating classical and modern sources.

Each volume also contains supplementary essays that elaborate upon key words and themes, a glossary of commentators and sources, extensive bibliographic notes, and maps.


Ecclesiastes Commentary

"The sum of the matter, when all is said and done, is that the JPS Ecclesiastes/Kohelet is a thorough, sensitive and engaging study with much to recommend it." - Canadian Jewish News

"This is an insightful and accessible commentary that reflects many years of deep engagement with the text." - Journal of Hebrew Scriptures

"This volume is a profitable resource for both scholars and pastors. Pastors will appreciate its brevity and clarity, and scholars will respect its depth and thoughtfulness." - Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

The Book of Ecclesiastes is part of the "wisdom literature" of the Bible. It concerns itself with universal philosophical questions, rather than events in the history of Israel and in the Hebrews' covenant with God. Koheleth, the speaker in this book, ruminates on what -- if anything -- has lasting value, and how -- if at all -- God interacts with humankind.

Koheleth expresses bewilderment and frustration at life's absurdities and injustices. He grapples with the inequities that pervade the world and the frailty and limitations of human wisdom and righteousness. His awareness of these discomfiting facts coexists with a firm believe in God's rule and God's fundamental justice, and he looks for ways to define a meaningful life in a world where so much is senseless.

Ecclesiastes is traditionally read on the Jewish holiday Sukkot, the harvest festival.


Haftarot Commentary

A National Jewish Book Award Finalist

“... without a doubt, the finest commentary on the Haftarot I have studied.” - David L. Lieber, President Emeritus and Skovron Distinguished Service Professor of Biblical Literature and Thought, University of Judaism; Senior Editor of Etz Hayim

The haftarot are an ancient part of Hebrew liturgy. These supplemental readings are excerpted from the Prophets (Nevi'im) and accompany each weekly Sabbath reading from the Torah as well as readings for special Sabbaths and festivals.

Noted Bible scholar Michael Fishbane introduces each haftarah with an outline and discussion of how that passage conveys its meaning, and he follows it with observations on how it relates to the Torah portion or special occasion. Individual comments, citing classical rabbinic as well as modern commentators, highlight ambiguities and difficulties in the Hebrew text, which appears in concert with the JPS translation. The haftarot are also put into biblical context by a separate overview of all prophetic books (except Jonah) that are excerpted in the haftarah cycle.


Esther Commentary

Recipient of the Prize of the Minister of Science, Culture, and Sport [of the State of Israel] for classical literature for the year 5762 [2001].

“This informative commentary ... dissects the Book of Esther and, by extension, the Jewish holiday of Purim. Berlin begins with a lengthy introduction, discussing Esther as comedy and as diaspora literature; the introduction does a fine job of explaining the Persian period and its various art forms.” - Publishers Weekly

The commentary, which accompanies the Hebrew biblical text and the JPS translation, approaches the Book of Esther from a fresh literary point-of-view. It includes essays entitled “When and Where Was the Book of Esther Written?”; “Sex and Spies”; and “Rabbinic Interpretation.”


Jonah Commentary

“Simon's commentary is a welcome addition to this excellent series.” - Interpretation

“An outstanding literary and exegetical commentary on the book of Jonah.” - Bibliotheca Sacra

Based on the same format and design as the Torah volumes, Jonah provides a critical line-by-line commentary of the biblical text, which is presented in its original Hebrew, complete with vocalization and cantillation marks, as well as the JPS English translation.

It includes a scholarly introduction, extensive bibliographic and critical notes, and other explanatory material.


Commentary on the Haggadah

The Passover haggadah enjoys an unrivaled place in Jewish culture, both religious and secular. And of all the classic Jewish books, the haggadah is the one most “alive” today. Jews continue to rewrite, revise, and add to its text, recasting it so that it remains relevant to their lives.

In this new volume in the JPS Commentary collection, Joseph Tabory, one of the world's leading authorities on the history of the haggadah, traces the development of the seder and the haggadah through the ages.

The book features an extended introduction by Tabory, the classic Hebrew haggadah text side by side with its English translation, and Tabory's clear and insightful critical-historical commentary.


Ruth Commentary

The moving story of Ruth, with its themes of loyalty, lovingkindness (hesed), and redemption, is one of the great narratives of the Bible.

Socially, the Israelites were aware of their responsibility to protect the weak and unprotected among them. Redemption secures the life of the people as a community, not just as individuals. In this story, Boaz fills the familial obligation to marry the widow of a deceased relative who never was able to father children, both to continue the family line and protect an otherwise vulnerable woman.

The authors provide a critical, line-by-line commentary of the biblical text, presented in its original Hebrew, complete with vocalization and cantillation marks, as well as the 1985 JPS English translation. The extensive introduction places the book within its historical, literary, and critical context, discusses contemporary interpretations of the story of Ruth, and examines its major motifs and themes, among them: family, marriage and levirate marriage in biblical and ancient Israel, redemption and inheritance, hesed, and the book’s connection with the Jewish holiday of Shavuot.