ArtScroll
ArtScroll is an imprint of translations, books and commentaries from an Orthodox Jewish perspective published by Mesorah Publications, Ltd., a publishing company based in Brooklyn, New York. Its general editors are Rabbis Nosson Scherman and Meir Zlotowitz.
Publications
ArtScroll publishes books on a variety of Jewish subjects. The best known is probably the translated Siddur (the best-selling "The Artscroll Siddur"), its Torah translation and commentary, the line of Bible commentary works, and the Hebrew-English translation of (and commentary on) the Babylonian Talmud. Other publications include works on Jewish Law, and novels and factual works based on Jewish life or history.
Editorial policy
Works published by Mesorah under this imprint adhere to a perspective appealing to most Orthodox Jews, but especially to Orthodox Jews who have come from less religious backrounds, but are returning to the faith.
In translations and commentaries, ArtScroll works traditionally accept midrashic accounts as factual, generally ignoring (and occasionally disagreeing with) modern Biblical criticism.
Criticism
Artscroll has been criticized for editing its books to exclude views and incidents that do not fit in with prevalent Orthodox views. In the Orthodox community, however, it is credited with "spurring a movement that is arguably saving American Jewry".
See also
Bibliography
- Rabbi B. Barry Levy. "Our Torah, Your Torah and Their Torah: An Evaluation of the Artscroll phenomenon.". In: "Truth and Compassion: Essays on Religion in Judaism", Ed. H. Joseph et al. Wilfred Laurier University Press, 1983.
- B. Barry Levy. "Judge Not a Book By Its Cover". Tradition Spring 1981;19(1):89-95 and an exchange of letters in Tradition 1982;20:370-375.