It's been a while since we took Artscroll to task here, and maybe because the topic was tiring. I think we have another issue at hand.
Your local Jewish paper probably had a big spread from "Ma Torah" (as in Ma Bell...) about another "landmark project" they're about to complete. It's the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, a good choice if you ask me, although not so popular among the Bnei Torah. (what do Hungarians know about Torah anyway, right?) My guess for them choosing the KSA that the MB has already been translated by another publishing company (Feldheim?) and they can't do the big Shulchan Aruch, soooo, enter the KSA. It seems like the boys at Artscroll never can decide on a project and stick to it; they always for new and exciting things to do. If only they'd stay focused maybe the Yerushalmi would already be completed, as well as other projects that take forever to complete. That's not to say we don't appreciate the good work they do, even if they do rely heavily on previous editions of translated works...
Anyway, judging from their insatiable need to advertise and publicize (of course, all in the name of spreading Torah...) one might say that Artscroll never seems content with what they do. I'm not suggesting they rest on their collective laurels, I'm saying that it seems like they want it all, like nobody else is allowed to do anything related to Torah and English anymore. It's as if they're trying to beat everybody else at anything Torah and English, and not just because they have more of a drive or need to do it. There's a sense of entitlement there that I don't think they earned. How did Reb Avrom Yehoshua Soloveitchik put it last year when they came to him to sign on to the Oz VeHodor fiasco? אלע מוזען געבן פאר קופת העיר, און אלע מוזען קויפען עוז והדר! "Let others make Parnossoh too!", he cried. The same can be said for the English Torah-books publishers; let others do their holy work!
Since Artscroll has already put out a Gemara, they should use the material and put out an Ein Yaakov as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you so upset about; that Kehos never made it translating into English, other than the Tanya, which no one else learns unless they can understand the original Hebrew, or Siddur Tehilas Hashem, which no one who can't read it in the original Hebrew uses unless they are Lubavitch?
ReplyDeleteyup, that's exactly it. Give yourself a pat on the back...
ReplyDeletego to guidstar.org and discover that thety never claimed to be marbitzei torah. its a pure buisiness, a successful one at that!
ReplyDeletei thought that you recovered, but it appears that you relapsed. Whats wrong here?
ReplyDeletenothing's wrong. all's well. I'm just speaking my mind. No need for anybody to agree with me. I too pay good money for their products, I'm just telling you what I feel.
ReplyDeleteI like Artscroll
ReplyDeletethey made many new Torah Learners
they make lots of money?
they deserve it
Lets get one thing clear. Artscroll is a business like any other. They do schnorr from rich semi frum yidden by claiming that Mesorah Heritage Foundation is losing money. True. Mesorah Heritage Foundation pays for the work, and then gives/leases it to Artscroll/Mesorah Publications, which is making tons of money. I have a wealthy BT acquaintance who was solicited by them, and looked into it extensively. Go check out their fancy offices. Looks like the swankest Manhattan offices.
ReplyDeleteTWISTE
ReplyDeletewhat is wrong with this/
they do a great professional job, they deserve it
Many Lubs shluchim have very expensive houses, cars, shickses,send their kids to Yeshivos all over the world,etc, so, according to you , ppl should stop supporting them?
"Many Lubs shluchim have very expensive houses, cars, shickses,send their kids to Yeshivos all over the world,etc, so, according to you , ppl should stop supporting them?"
ReplyDeleteYes. If they are collecting money for Kiruv and are takeing an exhorbite salary, I would not give them a dime.
As an aside, I saw in a shul today a Moznain translation of the Kitzur.
Kind of disproves HT's theory. The cynic in me would say that they have not yet gotten a big enough sucker to pay for translation the Mishna Berura
Feldheim has a Mishnah Berurah
ReplyDeleteThere are multiple English KSAs
I guess none of the KSAs are up to speed, eh?
ReplyDeleteThey'll make a REAL one? is that how it is?