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- #41
Tim, you have absolutely no idea how much of the TaNaCh -- Hebrew acronym for Torah (the Bible), N'vi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings) -- is mistranslated from the original Hebrew into English (via Greek and/or Latin), as well as misunderstood/misinterpreted, because the age-old commentaries which accompany Jewish copies of the TaNaCh are missing from the English translations.
Most Jews don't read, speak, or understand Hebrew; and only an infinitesimally-small number of non-Jews (mainly Messianic Christians) take the time to learn Hebrew, in order to read the Bible (and the rest) in it's original language.
If you do want to read excellent translations from the original Hebrew into English, I heartily recommend the wealth of books which are available from Artscroll Publishers (here in the US, in bookstores and via the Internet). Notably, these versions do contain many of the major commentaries on key passages -- you'll see the difference, as well as learn and appreciate it that much more.
I'm not Jewish but I have a lot of repsect for Jewish scholarship and study. Actually I just ordered a basic book on Talmud, "Swimming in the Sea of Talmud" which was recommended to me by our own Rav Eric. I also ordered "Torah and Company". But thanks for the suggestions, they are greatly appreciated. I have seriously given thought to trying to learn Hebrew, I too think that you can get so much more out of the text from it's original language.
But in the meantime, I'm off to Amazon to check out those books, thanks so much.