Kedushas Levi is translated and elucidated.
Highlighting: Kedushas Levi. Mesorah Publications. 2023. Hardcover. 1968 pages. ISBN-13: 978-1422638996.
(Courtesy of Artscroll) Who among us has never heard of, marveled at and been inspired by Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev? He was “the defender,” who found the good in every Jew, and whose passionate avodat Hashem was combined with an unparalleled love for his people. Known as an illui (Talmud prodigy) from youth, Rav Levi Yitzchak was a close talmid of the maggid of Mezeritch and one of the foundational figures of chasidism.
However, perhaps, his greatest influence was not in the wondrous stories that grew around him, but rather in his classic work, Kedushas Levi. Profound, incisive and stimulating, Rav Levi Yitzchak’s commentary has been treasured and studied by scholars and gedolim for more than two centuries. Finally, this classic commentary on Chumash is available in a groundbreaking translated and elucidated ArtScroll/Mesorah edition.
Reb Moyshe Silk is the only chasidic Jew who has been confirmed by the Senate for a high position in the U.S. Treasury Department. He has devoted more than a decade working himself and organizing a team of scholars to translate and elucidate the “Kedushas Levi.” He described the Kedushas Levi as “… one of the most profound Torah commentaries of our recent history … ” Its messages and lessons are hopeful, heartening and uplifting, and seek to motivate the reader toward greater and more devoted service of Hashem.
As important and beautiful as it is, Kedushas Levi is not a simple sefer to learn. It assumes that the reader has a thorough knowledge of classic sources, and is often written in a cryptic style. The new elucidation includes the original text, a flowing translation and commentary and explanatory notes incorporated into the text. As an important service to the reader, there is an introductory chapter that explains basic concepts that appear throughout the sefer to make the sefer clear to the reader. The sefer also includes a biography of Rav Levi Yitzchak, as well as fascinating sections on the Yamim Noraim.
Kedushas Levi is available in three separate volumes (Bereishis, Shemos and Vayikra-Bamidbar-Devarim) or in one magnificent three-volume slip-cased set.
The reader knows all about the Berditchever’s unflinching faith and love for his people. Readers may even recite his beautiful tefillah, “Gutt Fun Avraham,” every Motzei Shabbat. But to really know Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev and to truly appreciate his greatness, one has to study his masterpiece, Kedushas Levi.
And now the community can.
