Shadal on Leviticus

Samuel David Luzzatto (1800-1865), known by his Hebrew acronym Shadal, was the leading Italian Jewish scholar of the 19th century. A linguist, educator, and religious thinker, he devoted his talents above all to the interpretation of the Bible. As a master of Hebrew grammar and usage, he focused on the plain meaning of the text. Although he was a devout believer in the divinity, unity, and antiquity of the Torah, Shadal approached the text in a remarkably free spirit of inquiry, drawing upon a wide variety of sources, ancient and contemporary, Jewish and non-Jewish. As a result, his interpretations may strike even the modern reader as fresh and novel.

Among the highlights of Shadal's Leviticus (Vayikra) commentary are his discussions of the sacrificial system, the concept of purity and impurity, and the list of illicit relationships. In each case, he reveals how these ancient laws were meant to further one particular purpose: social utility and cohesion. Also noteworthy are his theories of how the words "Jubilee" and "Azazel" were repurposed from pagan origins. As always, Shadal's interpretive approach simply makes sense, and makes sense simply.

Shadal's treatment of Leviticus, as well as the other books of the Torah, consisted of his Italian translation of the text and his Hebrew-language commentary. Here, for the first time, is an all-English version of both the text translation and the unabridged commentary, the first complete edition of Shadal's Leviticus since its original publication in 1874. The translator-editor has supplied copious explanatory notes and a list identifying the sources cited.