About This Project
Abarbanel on the Torah is a structured English translation of the Torah commentary of Don Isaac Abarbanel (1437–1508), one of the most rigorous and philosophically engaged commentators in the Jewish tradition.
This publication presents his work section by section, following the order of the Torah and preserving the architecture of his argument: his questions, his engagement with earlier authorities, and his independent analysis.
The aim is not to summarize Abarbanel, but to make his voice accessible in full.
Why Abarbanel?
Abarbanel stands at the crossroads of biblical exegesis, philosophy, and history. Writing in the aftermath of exile and political upheaval, he approached the Torah with intellectual boldness and theological depth. His commentary addresses not only the plain meaning of the text, but also its philosophical implications and its place within the broader Jewish tradition.
Despite his importance, Abarbanel’s Torah commentary has never been translated in full into a modern language. While individual passages have occasionally appeared in translation, no complete and continuous rendering of the plain commentary has been made available. This project seeks to address that absence through a careful and sustained translation.
Structure of the Publication
Each parshah is published in numbered sections, reflecting the natural progression of Abarbanel’s thought. The main translation is made freely available so that readers may follow the commentary continuously.
Supporting subscribers receive:
the full scholarly footnotes accompanying each section,
a monthly thematic essay exploring philosophical or historical context,
structured summaries of completed parshot,
downloadable PDF editions of each parshah,
compiled PDF editions of completed books,
and a discount on future printed volumes.
This structure allows the translation itself to remain accessible, while providing additional depth for those who wish to support the long-term work.
The Translator
David Trauttman is a translator of Jewish classical texts and the founder of this project. His work focuses on rendering complex Torah literature into clear and faithful English, without interpretation or abbreviation. This edition of Abarbanel on the Torah is part of a broader commitment to making foundational Jewish works accessible to modern readers.
This is a sustained, long-term work. New sections are published regularly, following the order of the original text.
A Long-Term Commitment
The commentary of Abarbanel is vast. This publication approaches it patiently and systematically, without haste. Readers may enter at any point, but are encouraged to begin with Bereshit — Section 1.
Those who wish to follow the unfolding of the project are welcome to subscribe.
