Perl’s work reflects an intimate knowledge of the broad range of books printed in the nineteenth century by the Lithuanian circle of rabbinic scholars, and shows how those works reflect new interests and emphases in traditional Torah study. Through careful precise nuanced textual analysis, coupled with familiarity with the broad canvas of early modern rabbinic creativity and Lithuanian Haskalah, Perl elucidates, in particular, the originality and significance of nineteenth century Lithuanian midrash commentary and provides very important correctives to the work of scholars who have previously written on this subject. It is a major contribution to the field.