Shnayim Mikra - Translated Commentary

QUESTION: I don’t understand Aramaic. In place of reading Targum Onkelos (which is written in Aramaic), may I read an English translation instead?

ANSWER: Targum Onkelos is not only a translation of the Torah; it is also a commentary. There are many insights that one can gain from Targum Onkelos. For this reason, it is not sufficient to read a literal translation—we must also read a commentary that adds to our understanding of the Torah portion. Therefore, one may not read a direct English translation, since it lacks this component (Mishnah Berurah 285:4). However, instead of Targum Onkelos one may read a different commentary such as Rashi. One may even read Rashi in English (Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l quoted in Dirshu Mishnah Berurah 285, n. 15). Verses that do not have comments from Rashi should be read three times (Mishnah Berurah 285:5). One may also read an elucidated translation that incorporates Chazal and Rashi into the translation, such as the ArtScroll translation of Chumash (based on Mishnah Berurah, ibid. 5), though Rashi’s commentary is preferred. 

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.