By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin in Pikesville, Maryland
Maggid Tanakh Companions: The Noam Series is a collection of scholarly yet highly readable volumes that examine the books and major figures of the Hebrew Bible through close literary analysis.
Published by Maggid Books, an imprint of Koren Publishers Jerusalem, the series makes modern biblical scholarship accessible to both lay readers and advanced students of all religions while remaining respectful of the traditional Jewish understanding of Scripture.
The series emphasizes careful reading of the biblical text, literary structure, recurring themes, character development, biblical dialogue and narrative techniques, theological and ethical lessons, and connections between different parts of the Bible that aid in understanding their significance. Unlike traditional verse-by-verse commentaries, each volume studies the biblical text as carefully crafted literature, showing how every detail contributes to the book’s overall message. The books are suitable for study groups, university courses, clergy, and anyone wishing to understand the Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible, more deeply.
Jonathan Grossman, the author of Maggid’s book Jacob: The Story of a Family, is one of Israel’s leading contemporary scholars of the Hebrew Bible. He teaches Bible at Bar-Ilan University and at Herzog College, where he has trained many students in literary approaches to biblical interpretation. He is recognized as highly capable of combining traditional Jewish learning, modern literary criticism, historical sensitivity, and theological reflection. He is also known for offering his readers sophisticated academic insights that are easy to understand. Rather than focusing primarily on archaeology, historical reconstruction, or even moral lessons alone, he examines how biblical narratives communicate through dialogue, repetition, symbolism, irony, and narrative structure.
He wrote books on Abraham, Jacob, Ruth, Esther, and Jonah, as well as numerous scholarly essays on biblical narrative. He is best known for pioneering literary analysis of the Hebrew Bible; demonstrating how biblical stories are carefully constructed works of literature; revealing hidden literary patterns that most readers overlook and misunderstand; integrating traditional Jewish interpretation with modern literary scholarship; and showing how biblical characters develop psychologically and intellectually throughout a narrative. His books are valued because they make readers notice details they would otherwise overlook.
The Story of a Family is about Jacob, one of Judaism’s three patriarchs. It occupies a central place in the Book of Genesis. Major episodes in his life include his birth as the younger twin of Esau, who grasped his brother’s heel; purchasing Esau’s birthright for a bowl of stew and receiving Isaac’s blessing through Rebekah’s plan; fleeing to Haran to escape Esau’s anger; and dreaming of the heavenly ladder at Bethel. Meeting Rachel and falling in love with her. Working for 14 years to marry Rachel after being deceived by Laban. Becoming wealthy through his management of Laban’s flocks. Wrestling through the night with a mysterious divine being, after which his name becomes Israel. Reconciling peacefully with Esau. Settling in Canaan. Experiencing the tragedy involving his daughter Dinah. Favoring Joseph above his brothers. Believing Joseph had been killed. Enduring famine. Discovering that Joseph was alive and a ruler of Egypt. Moving his family to Egypt. Blessing Ephraim and Manasseh. He gave prophetic blessings to his twelve sons before his death.
Jacob’s life is one of continual growth. He changes from a clever young man who often relies on strategy into a mature patriarch who increasingly demonstrates humility, perseverance, and forgiveness.
Grossman’s 2025 book Jacob: The Story of a Family is splendid. It contains 544 pages, including a Bibliography of over 20 pages. It is one of the finest modern studies of Jacob’s life. Rather than presenting Jacob merely as an individual hero, Grossman shows that Genesis tells the story of an entire family whose relationships shape Israel’s future.
Grossman carefully analyzes conversations, repeated words, narrative patterns, and seemingly minor details that reveal the emotional complexity of Jacob’s life. Readers come to appreciate Jacob not as a flawless human but as one who grows through suffering, disappointment, and reconciliation. Grossman’s prose is scholarly without becoming technical. Readers with no background in biblical studies can follow the discussion, while advanced students will appreciate the depth of the literary observations.
Grossman emphasizes several major themes: Jacob’s life is a story of continual moral development. Family relationships lie at the heart of Genesis. Every biblical narrative detail contributes to the larger message. Divine providence works through ordinary human decisions. Conflict often becomes the means of personal transformation. Reconciliation is one of the Bible’s greatest ideals. God’s covenant unfolds through imperfect human beings. Biblical characters should be understood as psychologically complex individuals rather than one-dimensional heroes. He shows that Jacob’s greatest victories come not through cleverness but through learning humility, responsibility, and trust.
Readers gain numerous intellectual and personal benefits. They learn how to read biblical narratives more carefully; how literary techniques communicate theological ideas; how recurring themes unify the Jacob stories; and why small textual details matter. The reading helps them develop a deeper appreciation for perseverance through adversity, forgiveness after conflict, reconciliation within families, personal growth through life’s hardships, leadership rooted in humility, and adherence to proper goals amid uncertainty. The book also encourages readers to become more attentive readers generally. Grossman demonstrates that careful observation often reveals meanings hidden beneath the surface of a familiar text.
Whether one approaches Genesis as sacred Scripture, literature, or history, Jacob: The Story of a Family provides a richer understanding of one of the Bible’s most compelling figures. It shows that Jacob’s journey—from rivalry and deception to reconciliation and wisdom—remains deeply relevant to modern readers facing challenges in family life, personal identity, and moral growth.
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Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin is a retired brigadier general in the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps.