Reviewing: “Navigating Wilderness: Ramban’s Commentary on the Exodus and Numbers Narratives” by Dr. Michelle Levine. Kodesh Press. 2025. 661 pages. ISBN-13: 979-8888940310.

One of the most commonly quoted and frequently learned commentators on the Torah is Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman, known as the Ramban. People turn to his commentary for many different reasons. Some look for deep philosophical insights, some search for understanding various sagas in the Torah, and others yearn for his explanations of other commentators. In “Navigating Wilderness: Ramban’s Commentary on the Exodus and Numbers Narratives,” Michelle J. Levine provides the reader with a very thorough and comprehensive understanding of the Ramban’s commentary on the Jew’s wilderness experience upon leaving Egypt, as found in the books of Shemot and Bamidbar. This includes the events of Moshe’s early years, the nation’s travel from Marah to Rephidim, the incidents of the manna and the meat, the complaints of the people, the revelation, the Golden Calf, Moshe’s intercession on behalf of the people, their journey to Taberah and Kibroth, the sin of the meraglim (spies), Korach and his rebellion, the waters of Meribah and the impact of Moshe’s death.

The author notes that she has been an avid consumer of the Ramban for years, and this is evident in this publication. As imitation is often described as the epitome of flattery, Michelle Levine Ph.D. produces her commentary by emulating the style of the Ramban’s commentary which she is seeking to explain.

Although many look to the Ramban for kabbalistic explanations of the Torah, the Ramban himself heavily advises against doing so:

Now behold I bring into a faithful covenant and give proper counsel to all who look into this book not to reason or entertain any thought concerning any of the mystic hints which I write regarding the hidden matters of the Torah, for I do hereby firmly make known to him [the reader] that my words will not be comprehended nor known at all by any reasoning or contemplation, excepting from the mouth of a wise Cabalist speaking into the ear of an understanding recipient. Reasoning about them is foolishness; any unrelated thought brings much damage and withholds the benefit….for these reasonings will bring him nothing but evil as if they spoke falsely against God, which cannot be forgiven. (Introduction of the Ramban on the Torah)

The Ramban explains that one is unable to learn kabbalah from his commentary without already knowing kabbalah from a teacher, but “….rather let such see in our commentaries novel interpretations of the plain meanings of Scripture and Midrashim…” Dr. Levine follows the same approach, stating that her work will focus on the Ramban’s peshat readings of the Torah.

Levine notes another aspect that is unique to the Ramban’s commentary: He was the first to utilize his commentary to explain stories and incidents on a larger scale, as opposed to focusing on one pasuk at a time. Similarly, this book focuses on thematic themes. For instance, the Ramban notes how Moshe growing up in the house of Pharoah allowed for him to develop a certain disposition which would allow him to contend with the leader of the powerhouse nation that was Egypt, a trait he might not have developed had he been brought up as a slave.

Additionally, even though the author is a noted academic scholar of the Bible, the book is written as a flowing narrative, which encourages the reader to turn page after page. On each page, Dr. Levine highlights a query or concern of the Ramban, expands on the challenges he provides to previous commentators, and provides the reader with a greater understanding of his proposed resolution Dr. Levine will frequently quote other works of the Ramban to provide more guidance for readers, allowing them to see a fuller picture of each of the Ramban’s insights.

While this book reads like a novel, academics will still gain a tremendous amount from this publication, as footnotes abound, guiding the reader to further research on this topic. Additionally, this book is still written through the eyes of an academic. For instance, while many elementary-aged children take for granted that the Ramban’s stance on the order of events of the Torah starkly contrasts with that of Rashi, the author highlights this approach of the Ramban and bolsters it with further studies arriving at the same conclusion.

Dr. Levine likewise enlightens the reader by sharing the identities of many of the commentators the Ramban includes in his work. For instance, many readers of the Ramban are aware that Rashi and Ibn Ezra are frequently quoted in his work, either to express his support of their views, or more often than not, to disagree with them. However, Dr. Levine also points out the important role of other commentators in the Ramban’s commentary, such as, not only Onkelos and Rambam, but also Radak and Bechor Shor (one of the Tosafists).

Rabbi Eliezer Barany is an editor and serves as a Middle School rebbi at Katz Hillel Day School in south Florida.