For many people the Bible is a dusty old book with little relevance to their lives. But for Vistozky the Bible is a living entity that can offer endless insights for its readers if they enter into dialogue with it in the manner of the ancient rabbis, whose midrash, or commentary, has accompanied it almost from its beginning. Focusing on themes in key biblical texts - good and evil, sexuality, parent-child relations, sibling rivalry, faith, and creation - Reading the Book demonstrates the ingenuity and richness of this traditional Jewish approach. It then shows how readers of any religion can create their own midrashim and develop living relationships with the text.

An invitation to all--regardless of religious background--to engage the Bible, grapple with its language, unlock its mysteries, and understand its relevance in our own time. Reading the Book is the model for Bill Moyers's forthcoming 10-part PBS series, Genesis: A Living Conversation, to be aired in the fall of 1996.