Divrei Halev is the result of a multi-year collaboration between Rabbi Ronald D. Price and his teacher, the world-renowned Talmudic scholar Rabbi Professor David Weiss Halivni, of blessed memory. Nearly every week from 2008 to 2012, Rav Halivni shared a thought with Rabbi Price on the weekly Torah portion, which the student faithfully recorded. Divrei Halev includes over two hundred brief divrei Torah spread across all fifty-four parashiyot.
Rabbi Professor David Weiss Halivni z”l (1927–2022) was one of the most profound Talmudic scholars and theological voices of the postwar era. A Holocaust survivor, Halivni went on to shape generations of students through his decades of teaching at the Jewish Theological Seminary, Columbia University, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Bar Ilan University, and the Institute of Traditional Judaism.
Renowned for his revolutionary “Stammaitic” theory of Talmudic composition, Halivni challenged readers to differentiate between the teachings of the Amoraim and the later anonymous editorial voices. His magnum opus, Mekorot u-Mesorot, remains a cornerstone of critical Talmud study. A deeply committed halakhist and theologian, Halivni’s faith was sharpened—not shattered—by his experiences in the Shoah. He offered a powerful theological vision that acknowledged divine revelation while confronting the human role in transmission and textual development.
His intellectual legacy continues to inspire those who seek to balance rigorous academic honesty with spiritual depth and reverence for tradition. The newly released Divrei Halev, by Rabbi Ronald D. Price, brings Halivni’s insights into the weekly parasha to a broader audience, opening a window into the heart and thought of this extraordinary teacher.
“The very title of this excellent and inspiring volume, Divrei Halev (words from the heart) reveals its nature. Rabbi Professor David Weiss Halivni, of blessed memory, was a towering figure in the world of Talmudic scholarship.… On every page of his thoughts on the portion of the week, beautifully edited and compiled by Rabbi Ronald Price…the plain meaning of the biblical text speaks to us in Halivni’s unique voice.”
Professor Gershon Bacon, Bar-Ilan University
“Provocative questions followed by intellectually honest and spiritually nourishing insights adorn each parashah. A stimulating way of enhancing our appreciation of Torah week by week.”
Rabbi Reuven Kimelman, Professor of Classical Judaica, Brandeis University
“Price dutifully shares [the Torat hayyim] from our revered – and sorely missed – teacher. Thank you, Rabbi Ronald Price, for amplifying Professor Halivni z”l’s voice and for allowing us to continue learning his Torah..”
Dr. Elana Stein Hain, Rosh Beit Midrash, Shalom Hartman Institute of America.
“Rabbi Halivni’s…spoken word on Shabbat was able to both enlighten and inspire. Those of us who were able to experience this, and those who never had the opportunity, owe a great debt to Rabbi Ronald Price for bringing the words of our teacher to life..”
Marc B. Shapiro, Weinberg Chair in Judaic Studies, University of Scranton
“How beautiful to behold [Rabbi Halivni’s] last insights on the weekly Torah portion here in Divrei Halev!.”
Rabbi David Novak, President and Coordinator of Panel of Halakhic Inquiry, Union for Traditional Judaism
