The Torah Anthology / Yalkut Me'am Loez - Shir Hashirim

The Torah Anthology is a clear, modern translation of Me'am Lo'ez, hailed as "the outstanding work of Ladino literature." Written by Rabbi Yaakov Culi, one of the greatest Sephardic sages of his times, the book was first published in 1730. It changed the spiritual climate of the entire Mediterranean region. Eastern Jews esteemed Me'am Lo'ez as a major classic, affording it the same status as the Talmud and Mishnah. Reading it each day was a religious duty; it was a highly popular text for synagogue classes held each evening. Many count Me'am Lo'ez among the best commentaries ever written on the Torah - in any language. The book is a veritable encyclopedia of Jewish knowledge.