The return to the study of peshat in Tanakh in recent generations has brought to the forefront a renewed interest in methods of literary analysis and in uncovering layers of conceptual depth embedded within the text. This peshat-based approach enriches Talmud Torah, strengthens our faith and draws us closer to the world of Torah.

Starting Point presents hundreds of short studies in the peshat of parashat hashavua. Each parasha has about seven units. These enable a basic understanding of the parasha and serve as a basis for meaningful discussion of the central ideas within each parasha. The book is both an aid to preparing divrei Torah as well as an introduction to the study of peshat in general. Many of these studies have been presented before in different formats. They have been edited and collected here in a new, expanded edition.

Rav Amnon Bazak is a Shiur Bet Ram at Yeshivat Har Etzion, and teaches Bible and Oral Law at the Herzog College and the Women's Beit Midrash in Migdal Oz. He completed his Hesder army service in the military rabbinate, was later ordained as a rabbi and received his B.Ed. degree at Herzog College for Teacher Training. Rav Bazak has authored several books on Tanakh study, including: 'Shmuel Alef: Melekh in Israel, ' 'Shmuel Bet: David's Kingship, ' and 'Nekudat Peticha - Studies in Parshat Hashavua.' In his book 'Ad HaYom HaZeh, ' he presents a comprehensive way of dealing with questions arising from biblical criticism. Hundreds of his lessons, written and recorded, are on the website of the Israel Koschitzky Virtual Beit Midrash of Yeshivat Har Etzion. Rav Bazak has also edited many books, among them Harav Amital's book 'VeHaAretz Natan Livnei Adam' and a series of Holiday books published by Herzog College.