The art of biblical interpretation is more than just knowing how to understand the deeper meaning of the words and expressions. It is impossible to treat the biblical text as one would any other classical work, because the people of Israel, according to Jewish tradition, are not the authors of this text; the text is the author of the people. Truly learning Torah requires human authenticity. It means standing in front of a mirror and asking yourself the daunting question of who you really are.

This collection of essays by a rabbi known internationally as "one of the most thoughtful voices in contemporary Judaism" looks at the weekly Torah portion through the eyes of philosophy, contemporary controversies, and personal struggles. Written in Rabbi Cardozo's characteristic style, this collection on the Book of Genesis (Bereshit) offers something for many different types of readers: laymen and clergy, full-time students and intellectually curious practitioners, Jews and non-Jews alike.