JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH (7/8/1998) wrote:
Rating: 5 stars

The Stone Chumash was published by ArtScroll only five years ago, but it has already become the standard edition of the Pentateuch in Orthodox synagogues throughout the English-speaking world. It includes not only a clear English translation of the text, but also Rashi (Hebrew) and Onkelos (Aramaic) commentaries, and an English-language anthology of explanations by over 200 recognized Jewish commentators, including thumbnail biographies.

In a bold move, ArtScrolls Rabbi Nosson Scherman asked TES to adapt the Pentateuch into a CD-ROM with a computerized concordance, gematria calculator and many other features.

In response, TESs resident computer expert, Jeff Milgram, produced an impressive, user-friendly piece of software. Now, instead of searching for hours, the user can locate in seconds every reference to a specific word, root, groups of words or verses in the first five books of the Bible.

Upon opening the program, the user can choose from a Hebrew, English, or Hebrew-English Pentateuch text with full linear translation (giving Hebrew on one side of the screen and English on the other). There is also the choice of eight colors for both the background and the text display and eight alternative fonts - sized from a normal 12 to a gigantic 36 points.

The appropriate haftara sections for each Torah reading are included, as are the Five Megillot. The program, suitable for PCs and Macs, also has ready-made lists, such as the 613 Commandments.

The gematria feature gives the numerical equivalents of Hebrew words or verses using any of seven different methods of calculation.

Of special benefit to users, especially those preparing homework or study material, is the note feature. Theres a Hebrew- and English-language word processor that allows the user to type in his own notes.

While the original disk was impressive, the improved version offers a lot more. Most prominent is the on-line tutorial, spoken in clear English..

Rashi commentary to the entire Pentateuch can be viewed in regular Hebrew or Rashi fonts, and the $79 version has an English translation of Rashi,a boon to the English-speaking student.

Search capabilities are enhanced, with searches according to proximity, root words, topics and footnote.

The new version also has the capability of linking spoken notes or even music, recorded via the computers microphone, into specific verses of text that can be accessed with just a click of the mouse.

Photos entered into the database can also be linked to a specific verse and viewed.

If the user enters a lot of data on his own - in the form of written and voice notes, pictures and music - he will end up with his own customized Pentateuch.